2007 - 2008 Annual Report on Georgia's Charter Schools Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools Submitted to the State General Assembly on December 31, 2008 1 Table of Contents Executive Summary .............................................................................................................4 I. Charter Schools in Georgia ................................................................................4 II. Charter School Characteristics and Demographics ........................................6 III. Charter School Student Performance .............................................................11 IV. Support for Charter Schools ............................................................................23 Appendix A (including acknowledgements) ..........................................................25 Charter School Individual Reports in alphabetical order ...............................................1 - 601 1. Academy of Lithonia (DeKalb County).............................................................1 2. Addison Elementary (Cobb County) .................................................................14 3. Amana Academy (Fulton County) .....................................................................25 4. Atlanta Charter Middle School (Atlanta Public)..............................................42 5. Baconton Community Charter School (Mitchell County)...............................51 6. Berrien Academy Performance Learning Center (Berrien County) ..............68 7. Bishop Hall Charter School (Thomas County) .................................................71 8. Brighten Academy Charter School (Douglas County).....................................76 9. Central Educational Center (Coweta County) .................................................90 10. Chamblee High School (DeKalb County) .........................................................94 11. Charles R. Drew Charter School (Atlanta Public) ...........................................99 12. Charter Conservatory for Liberal Arts and Technology (State Charter) ......115 13. Chattahoochee County High School (Chattahoochee) .....................................125 14. Chesnut Elementary School (DeKalb County) .................................................129 15. Clubview Elementary School (Muscogee County) ...........................................140 16. Connected Academy (Fulton County) ...............................................................151 17. DeKalb Academy of Technology and The Environment (DeKalb County)...156 18. DeKalb: PATH Academy (DeKalb County) .....................................................170 19. Destiny Academy of Excellence (DeKalb County) ...........................................180 20. Dooly County High School (Dooly County)......................................................185 21. Dunwoody Springs Charter School (Fulton County) .......................................189 22. Fargo Charter School (Clinch County) .............................................................200 23. Forsyth County Academy (Forsyth County).....................................................207 24. Fulton Science Academy (Fulton County).........................................................212 25. Futral Road Elementary (Spalding County).....................................................221 26. Gateway to College Academy (DeKalb County)...............................................232 27. George Walton Comprehensive High School (Cobb County).........................236 28. Gwinnett Charter School of Math, Science & Technology (Gwinnett) .........241 29. Hapeville Middle School (Fulton County).........................................................245 30. Imagine International Academy of Smyrna (Cobb County)...........................254 31. Imagine Wesley International Academy (Atlanta Public) ...............................268 2 32. Imagine International Academy of Mableton (Cobb County) ........................280 33. International Community School (DeKalb County) ........................................295 34. International Studies Elementary Magnet School (Dougherty) .....................308 35. Jenkins-White Elementary School (Richmond County) ..................................319 36. Kennesaw Charter School (Cobb County)........................................................329 37. KidsPeace School of Georgia (State Charter)....................................................340 38. Kingsley Elementary School (DeKalb County) ................................................349 39. KIPP South Fulton (Fulton County)..................................................................359 40. KIPP West Atlanta Young Scholars Academy (Atlanta Public).....................370 41. Lake Oconee Academy (Greene County) ..........................................................381 42. Lewis Academy of Excellence (Clayton County) ..............................................384 43. Marietta Charter School (Marietta City) ..........................................................394 44. Morgan County Elementary (Morgan County) ................................................404 45. Morgan County Charter Primary (Morgan County).......................................413 46. Morgan County Middle School (Morgan County) ...........................................421 47. Mountain Education Center (Towns County) ..................................................427 48. Murphey Middle Charter School (Richmond County) ....................................431 49. Neighborhood Charter School (Atlanta Public) ...............................................440 50. New Life Academy of Excellence (Clayton County).........................................451 51. North Springs Charter High School (Fulton County)......................................458 52. Odyssey Charter School (State Charter)............................................................463 53. Oglethorpe Charter School (Chatham County) ................................................479 54. Peachtree Middle School (DeKalb County) ......................................................487 55. Ridgeview Middle School (Fulton County) .......................................................496 56. Rockdale Career Academy (Rockdale County) ................................................505 57. Sawyer Road Elementary (Marietta City).........................................................508 58. Sedalia Park Elementary School (Cobb County) .............................................519 59. Spalding Drive Elementary School (Fulton County)........................................530 60. Taliaferro County Charter School (Taliaferro County)...................................541 61. T.E.A.C.H. Charter School (Fulton County) ....................................................557 62. Tech High School (Atlanta Public).....................................................................561 63. Technical Career Academy of NE Georgia (Oglethorpe County)...................566 64. UNIDOS Dual Language Charter School (Clayton County)...........................569 65. University Community Academy (Atlanta Public)...........................................575 66. Walton Career Academy (Walton County).......................................................591 67. Webster County High School (Webster County)..............................................594 68. Whitfield County Career Academy (Whitfield County)..................................597 69. Woodland Elementary School (Fulton County)................................................601 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Ten years have passed since the Charter Schools Act of 1998 allowed the creation of start-up charter schools in Georgia. Since that time, the charter sector in Georgia has expanded considerably, bringing new public school options to thousands of Georgia children and their families. Georgia continued its charter expansion in 2008, while redoubling its efforts to ensure that charter schools meet rigorous student achievement goals. In 2008, 17 new charter schools opened their doors, the largest annual increase in operational charter schools since the Charter Schools Act was signed into law in 1993. In addition to these 17 new schools, Georgia also awarded its first system-wide charters to four school districts, which collectively have 25 schools that are now charter system schools. Including these new charter system schools, the current number of charter schools in Georgia is 113, roughly twice the number of charter schools Georgia had just two years ago. As in 2007, charter enrollment is up across the board, as Georgia parents increasingly view charter schools as viable and attractive public educational options for their children. This increased growth and interest was reflected in new legislation as well. During the 2008 legislative session, the General Assembly passed four significant charter initiatives, including the Georgia Charter Schools Commission Act and the Public Charter School Capital Financing Act. The Commission Act creates a single purpose, seven-member state level commission with the power to authorize charter schools. This Commission will begin its work in 2009 and promises to usher in a new era of authorization in Georgia. Other significant legislation enacted during 2008 allows startup charter school teachers to participate in the State Health Benefits Plan and creates a new grant program that provides financial incentives for donations to charter schools for facilities needs. While the Department of Education ("Department") is pleased by this increased focus on chartering, our principal goal remains providing high-quality, innovative educational opportunities for students through quality chartering, with a special emphasis on serving those students who are not succeeding in their traditional schools. This Annual Report includes reports on each charter school active in the 20072008 school year, as well as a comprehensive Executive Summary that aggregates individual school data into a statewide picture of charter schools. I. Charter Schools in Georgia The number of charter schools in Georgia has climbed steadily since the first three schools opened in 1995, two years after the Georgia charter school law passed in 1993. Since 1998, the first year start-up charter schools were allowed under Georgia law, charter schools have increased in visibility and prominence, becoming a fixture in school improvement efforts across Georgia. During the 2007-2008 school year, the number of operational charter schools in Georgia grew to 71. In the current 2008-2009 school year, Georgia has 113 operational charter schools. 4 Charter school student enrollment for 2007-2008 totaled 33,229 students, a significant increase over the 2006-2007 school year. More significant, the number of students enrolled in charter schools in Georgia has increased dramatically over time, nearly doubling in the last three years. While the Department is pleased that parents are increasingly choosing charter schools to educate their children, we are not focused on mere growth. Instead, the Charter Division's focus is curricular innovation that meets the needs of Georgia's public school students and results in measurable student achievement gains. To the extent this 5 process can be accelerated through an increase in the number of charter schools in Georgia, the Department will continue to view charter growth as a complementary goal. These two goals providing high-quality, innovative educational opportunities and growing the number of students served in charter schools are, in many respects, mutually reinforcing. As charter school opportunities increase, more students will benefit from access to the innovative curricular approaches available in charter schools. II. Charter School Characteristics and Demographics Charter Schools in Georgia are varied in both type and focus. Georgia law authorizes five distinct types of charter schools: Start-up Charter Schools; LEA Start-up Charter Schools; Conversion Charter Schools; State Chartered Special Schools; and System Charter Schools. (See Appendix A for a definition of each type of school.) In addition, several hybrid models are also authorized under law, including, for example, career academy charter schools (a start-up charter school, often with a dual enrollment, career/technical curriculum) and cluster charter schools (a conversion high school and all its feeder middle and elementary schools chartered together). When the Georgia Charter School Act ("Act") was first enacted in 1993, it only authorized conversion schools. Consequently, all charter schools in Georgia were conversion charter schools until 1998, when the Act was amended to allow for start-up charter schools. Since that time, the trend has been toward an increasing number of startup charter schools, either conventional start-up charter schools or LEA start-up charter schools. In the past few years, the pace of this trend has accelerated and during the 20072008 school year 46 (65%) of all charter schools in Georgia were either start-up charter schools or LEA start-up charter schools. In particular, Georgia has experienced increased interest in LEA start-up charter schools over the past year as districts have begun to realize the benefits to be gained by chartering their own new schools. 6 2007-2008 Charter Schools By Type Total of 71 Schools LEA Start-up (14), 20% State Charter (4), 6% Start-up (32), 45% Conversion (21), 30% Charter schools are typically smaller than traditional public schools. The majority of charter schools have fewer than 500 students total, and a substantial number of charter schools are even smaller, with fewer than 250 students enrolled. In fact, during the 20072008 school year, eight charter schools in Georgia enrolled fewer than 100 students. In many cases, this allows charter schools to maintain smaller class sizes than typically found in traditional public schools. These smaller class sizes have been a major incentive for parents choosing to send their students to charter schools, a point highlighted by numerous parents who attended the Charter Division's visits to charter schools across the State over the past year. Moreover, the relatively small size of charter schools in Georgia aligns with the national movement toward smaller learning academies, which has been promoted in recent years by large philanthropic groups and foundations as a way to improve public education generally. 7 Charter school students are not evenly distributed among Georgia school districts. In fact, the four districts with the largest number of charter schools Cobb County Schools, DeKalb County Schools, Fulton County Schools, and Atlanta Public Schools authorize almost half the charter schools in the State. These four districts also have the largest share of charter school enrollment, enrolling approximately 65% of all charter school students statewide. (The charter schools in these four districts tend to be significantly larger than charter schools in other districts across the State.) In fact, the largest single bricks-and-mortar charter school, with an enrollment of 2,629 students, is Walton High School in Cobb County. 8 In terms of gender and racial composition, charter schools in Georgia are equally likely to enroll female students and are somewhat more likely to enroll racial minorities. In fact, when multiracial students are included, racial minorities comprise 60% of all charter school students, compared to 54% statewide: 43% of charter schools students are African-American (compared to the statewide average of 38%); 9% are Hispanic (compared to 10% statewide); 4% are Asian (compared to 3% statewide); and 4% are multiracial (compared to 3% statewide). 9 46% 39% Racial Composition of Georgia's Charter Schools Charter Schools State of Georgia 43% 38% 9% 10% 4% 3% 4% 3% White % Black % Hispanic % Asian % Multiracial % Finally, students who qualify for free and reduced lunch ("FRL") are overrepresented in charter schools. During the 2007-2008 school year, 60% of students enrolled in charter schools were FRL qualified compared to 51% for students statewide. These figures are particularly significant in light of the claim that charter schools tend to "skim" more affluent students from traditional public schools. The data from Georgia, which is consistent with nationwide trends, shows that charter schools, on average, enroll a population that is less affluent than attends traditional public schools. Moreover, when the free lunch data is disaggregated from the reduced lunch data, it becomes clear that charter schools are even more likely to serve students that are in poverty. Under federal guidelines, students qualify for free lunch when their family has income up to 130% of the federal poverty level and for reduced lunch when their family has income up to 185% of the federal poverty level. For illustration, a student from a family of three during the 2007-2008 school year qualified for free lunch with a family income of $22,880 or less, compared to $32,560 or less for reduced lunch. As illustrated below, 60% of charter school students statewide qualified for free or reduced lunch in 2007-2008. The comparable rate for traditional public schools was 51%. When free lunch qualified students are separated from reduced price lunch, it becomes clear that charter school students tend to be relatively more economically disadvantaged: 53% of all Georgia charter school students qualified for free lunch, compared to 42% of traditional public school students who qualified for free lunch. 10 Free and/or Reduced Lunch Participation Charter Schools Georgia 53% 42% Free 7% 9% Reduced 60% 51% Free/Reduced III. Charter School Student Performance The question of whether charter school students outperform students enrolled in traditional public schools is the subject of increasingly rancorous debate, in Georgia and nationwide. In point of fact, the real issue whether students enrolled in charter schools performed better than they would have performed had they attended traditional public schools is difficult to answer because once students enroll in a charter school there is no baseline to determine how well they would have done had they stayed in traditional public schools. Because of this difficulty, researchers use a number of methods to approximate presumed student performance, including controlling for certain factors known to impact student performance; conducting trend analysis showing whether student achievement accelerates the longer one is enrolled in a charter school; and using matched pair analysis where charter school students are matched with similar students who remain in traditional public schools and their performance is tracked over time. All of these approaches have their limitations, but they provide some useful data to determine the educational effectiveness of charter schools. The following analysis of test scores is separated into three sections: (A) Adequate Yearly Progress data; (B) high school graduation rate comparisons; and (C) standardized test results. A review of each of these areas reveals that charter schools in 11 Georgia, on average, have generally outperformed traditional public schools, both in absolute and relative achievement terms, with the exception of AYP figures, where charter schools made AYP at a somewhat lower rate than traditional public schools in 2008. A. Adequate Yearly Progress Comparisons Adequate yearly progress ("AYP") is a relative achievement measure that determines whether a school's test scores have improved from year to year in various subject areas and grade levels. It does not currently allow for a comparison of cohorts as they move through grades (e.g., by measuring, for instance, the same class of students from year to year), however, so figures compare one group of students to another group of students. Nevertheless, AYP figures provide an overview of whether a school is improving from year to year, at least as measured by succeeding grades of students. In 2008, Georgia charter schools made adequate yearly progress ("AYP") at a rate slightly lower than traditional public schools. This is a reversal of the trend over the past three years, during which time charter schools made AYP at a higher rate than traditional public schools. In 2008, 77% of charter schools made AYP, compared to 80% of traditional public schools. In 2007, 85% of Georgia charter schools made AYP, compared to 82% of traditional public schools. In large measure, the decrease in charter school AYP rates this year was caused by several struggling schools that decided to use chartering as a school improvement strategy, an approach we have encouraged among our schools. Two of these schools, Dooly County High School in Dooly County and Murphy Charter Middle School in Richmond County, made progress toward making AYP, but still fell short of the bar. It remains to be seen whether the charter mechanism will assist struggling conversion schools in making AYP in future years. In addition, Georgia law now allows the SBOE to grant flexibility contracts for entire systems, which may well increase the number of conversion schools in the coming years that charter as a school improvement initiative. Of the fifteen charter schools that did not make AYP in 2008, five are in needs improvement status, while eight of them failed to make AYP for the first time. (One of the schools that did not make AYP in 2008 was not renewed, effectively terminating the charter.) Of the fifteen schools that failed to make AYP, six of them made AYP in all but one indicator, suggesting that these schools may well make AYP next year by improving student performance among one subgroup or on one indicator. 12 88% 79% P e rc e n ta g e o f S c h o o ls M a k in g AY P C harter Schools S ta te 85% 82% 77% 80% 2005 - 2006 2006 - 2007 2007 - 2008 B. State High School Graduation Rates Georgia charter high school graduation rates continued to outpace those from traditional public schools, continuing a trend from previous years. In 2008, 85% of students in charter high schools graduated, compared to 75% statewide. It is worth noting that two high schools Walton High School in Cobb County and Chamblee High School in DeKalb County, both of which have relatively high graduation rates make up a disproportionate number of Georgia charter high school students. 13 84% 70% Graduation Rate 2006-2008 Charter Schools State 90% 72% 85% 75% 2005 - 2006 2006 - 2007 2007 - 2008 C. Standardized Test Results 1. CRCT Scores Turning to standardized test results, the data reveal that Georgia charter school student performance has improved in most areas over time. The following figures depict the performance on the Criterion Referenced Competency Test ("CRCT")1 in a variety of content areas over a three-year span. The subjects listed include Social Studies, Reading, English/Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. Comparison scores for all students enrolled in traditional public schools are provided as well. In the majority of content areas, charter school student performance met or exceeded the performance of public school students generally. In most cases, charter school students' outperformance was relatively modest: one percentage point in Reading, English/Language Arts, and Social Studies. In Mathematics and Science, however, traditional public schools outperformed charter schools by two and one percentage points, respectively. This is especially notable given the trends over time. In 2005, for instance, traditional public school students' average performance in several content areas exceeded that of students enrolled in charter schools. By 2007, however, Georgia charter school students outperformed traditional public school students in every CRCT content area except Science, where the two groups of students performed at the same proficiency rate. 1 The CRCT test is administered in grades 1 8, while the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) is administered to high school students. 14 The significance of these trends should not be overstated, however, because the overall differences were only a matter of a few percentage points. 87% 85% Students Passing Reading CRCT Charter schools average State average 89% 87% 92% 91% 2006 2007 2008 Students Passing English/Language Arts CRCT Charter schools average State average 85% 83% 88% 86% 88% 87% 2006 2007 15 2008 Students Passing Science CRCT C harter schools average State average 78% 77% 69% 69% 69% 70% 2006 2007 2008 Students Passing Social Studies CRCT Charter schools average State average 89% 88% 88% 87% 83% 82% 2006 2007 16 2008 Students Passing Math CRCT Charter schools average State average 83% 82% 81% 80% 76% 78% 2006 2007 2008 2. GHSGT Scores Student performance on the Georgia High School Graduation Test reveals a more dramatic story. As with the CRCT, the GHSGT data reveal that Georgia charter school student performance has improved in most areas over time. The following figures depict the performance on the GHSGT in a variety of content areas over a three-year span. The subjects listed include Social Studies, English/Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. Comparison scores for all students enrolled in traditional public schools are provided as well. In all four content areas, charter school student performance exceeded the performance of public school students generally. For instance, on the Social Studies section of the GHSGT, 90% of charter school students met or exceeded expectations, compared to 87% for traditional public school students. Likewise, on the English/Language Arts section of the GHSGT, 93% of charter school students met or exceeded expectations. The comparable number for traditional public school students was 90%. In the other two content areas Science and Mathematics the differences in performance were 2% and 1%, respectively. These numbers are more impressive when one looks at the trend data over time. In 2004, charter school students scored lower than traditional public school students on every content area of the GHSGT. In contrast, by 2008 charter school students has a 17 higher pass rate than traditional public school students on every content area of the GHSGT. 92% Students Passing GHSGT - Social Studies Charter schools average State average 86% 92% 87% 90% 87% 2006 2007 2008 Students Passing English/Language Arts GHSGT Charter schools average State average 98% 96% 98% 96% 93% 90% 2006 2007 18 2008 Students Passing M ath G HSG T C harter schools average State average 96% 92% 94% 93% 94% 93% 2006 2007 2008 Students Passing Science GHSGT Charter schools average State average 87% 73% 83% 75% 89% 87% 2006 2007 19 2008 The preceding data compares charter schools' overall student averages against the overall state averages. Because charter school students typically enroll in a local school within an existing school district, state averages are limited in their ability to make accurate local comparisons. Another way to examine the data is by asking whether charter school students in a given district performed better than other public school students in that same district. One way to examine this question is to determine the percentage of charter school students who either meet or exceed standards and compare that to the average for the district in which the charter school is located. The following two charts depict the percentage of charter school students who either (1) meet and/or exceed state standards or (2) exceed state standards, as compared to the average for the district in which the charter is located. The second prong of this analysis is designed to focus on Georgia's goal of using chartering to provide highquality, innovative educational opportunities that result in sustained student achievement growth. Somewhat understandably, data analyses typically join the "meets and exceeds" rates when comparing student performances. Separating out the "exceeds" rate from the "meets" rate allows one to determine how many students are performing at the highest level, a useful data point for identifying best practices among charter schools. Percentage of Charter Schools W hose Meets + Exceeds Rate is G reater T han or Equal to the District's Rate 71% 61% 65% 55% CRCT - Math CRCT - Reading/ELA E-GHSGT - Math E-GHSGT - ELA 20 Percentage of Charter Schools Whose Exceeds Rate is G reater Than or Equal to the District's Rate 51% 47% 65% 72% CRCT - Math CRCT - Reading/ELA E-GHSGT - Math E-GHSGT - ELA As these figures illustrate, when viewed at the district level by meets and/or exceeds rate, charter school students outperform students in traditional public schools on all four measures: CRCT Mathematics; CRCT Reading/English Language Arts; GHSGT Mathematics; and GHSGT English Language Arts. Tellingly, this pattern holds at the high school level when only the exceeds rate is examined, indicating that the cohort of highest performing charter high school students outperforms the cohort of highest performing traditional public high school students from the same district. On the CRCT tests, however, charter schools slightly underperform the relevant district average among the highest-scoring cohort of students on the Reading/ELA CRCT, in which case only 47% of charter schools have a proficiency rate higher than the district average. In sum, the exceeds performance gap is particularly pronounced at the high school level, suggesting that charter high schools perform at higher proficiency levels than charter elementary and middle schools. This comparison, while certainly more useful than statewide averages, is also somewhat limited by several relevant factors. First, in several Georgia districts, charter school demographics vary quite dramatically from the overall demographics of the district in which the charter school is located. For instance, a charter school might enroll a much higher proportion of English language learners or students with disabilities than the district generally. Comparing such schools to the overall district performance without controlling for relevant variables that affect student achievement might confound the analysis. Likewise, traditional public schools tend to enroll students from a specific 21 attendance zone drawn adjacent to the school itself. While some charter schools utilize this model, a far higher proportion of charter schools have county-wide attendance zones and some even enroll a substantial number of students from neighboring counties, in which case the comparison to the county performance in which the school is located can be inapt. A finer level of detail is provided by comparing the percentage of charter school students who either meet or exceed standards to the neighboring school to which the charter schools' students would otherwise be zoned. This largely controls for the first challenge noted above because it locates the charter school within a specific portion of the district, likely the areas from which the charter school will enroll the majority of its students. After all, Georgia parents and students are not selecting among a composite statewide school, a composite district-wide school, and their zoned school. Instead, they are selecting between a specific traditional public school to which the student is zoned and a charter option. In most respects, this is the best comparison to answer the question of how charter schools perform. A review of this comparison demonstrates that the majority of charter schools outperform the two closest comparison schools. For purposes of this analysis, comparison schools were defined as the two schools with the same grade span that are geographically closest to the charter school and are in the same school district. Percentage of Charter Schools Whose 2007 Meets + Exceeds Rate is Greater Than the Two Surrounding Schools 76% 61% 66% 72% CRCT - Math CRCT - Reading/ELA E-GHSGT - Math 22 E-GHSGT - ELA IV. Support for Charter Schools During the 2007-2008 school year, the Department continued its commitment to charter schools and Georgia's charter school achievements were recognized on several fronts. At its annual meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, the National Association of Charter School Authorizers presented Georgia with the Improving Policy award for Georgia's work to promote quality authorizing. This award recognized the work of State Superintendent Kathy Cox, Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle, House Majority Whip Jan Jones, and the Charter Schools Division, all of whom worked on efforts to expand the charter model over the past year. The Department also continues to administer the federal charter school program grant, awarded in the amount of $17,010,000 in 2007 from the U.S. Department of Education, to fund implementation grants for new charter schools to cover start-up costs. In addition, the State Board of Education ("SBOE") and the Department worked together to implement legislative changes enacted by the General Assembly during the 2007 and 2008 legislative session. Under the new Charter Systems Act, an entire system may be granted charter status, provided the system implements school level governance, which may include, among other things, school-level control over resource allocation, personnel decisions, and curriculum innovation. To support the new charter systems, the legislature also created the Charter Advisory Committee, a nine-member state-level advisory board charged with working with systems on charter proposals and studying charter issues for recommendation to the General Assembly. The Department is also in the process of establishing the Charter Schools Commission, a new single-purpose state authorizer that will begin authorizing schools in 2009. Division staff continue to provide support to charter schools before, during, and after the petition process. The charter web pages and print workshop materials were updated and expanded and now include application templates designed to make the process more transparent. The Department also redoubled its efforts to provide ongoing technical assistance to districts, charter petitioners, and charter operators, including, among other things: Conducting required charter school training for all new charter school principals and governing board chairs, including governance training, curriculum review, and direction on the utilization of state and federal grants; Holding authorizer accountability workshops in partnership with the National Association of Charter School Authorizers and statewide education organization leaders; Giving presentations to multiple local school boards on charter petition review; 23 Hosting charter petition and grant workshops for those interested in opening a charter school; Creating multiple templates to assist in the preparation of charter petitions and all grant applications; Conducting multiple workshops for charter schools throughout the year, including participation in the Georgia Charter School Association's Annual Conference; Beginning a school improvement initiative to work directly with those schools that have not made AYP; and Creating an initiative designed to assist charter schools in accessing potential sources of facilities funding. Institutionally, the Department has continued its commitment to charter schools. In 2004, the SBOE created three committees, one of which focuses solely on charter schools. The Charter Schools Committee meets monthly and provides a forum for petitioners, authorizers, parents, practitioners, and other stakeholders to discuss charter school issues. During the 2007-2008 school year, the Charter Committee continued to meet monthly to discuss issues of common concern to charter schools. The SBOE and the Department are not alone in their commitment to charter schools. Georgia's General Assembly has recognized the importance of charter schools to the state system of public education, particularly in the area of facilities funding. In 2004, the Georgia legislature created a charter school facilities fund to assist charter schools in the acquisition, renovation, and use of school facilities, a dire need among charter petitioners. In 2005, the legislature appropriated $450,000 for this fund; in 2006, this amount was increased to $950,000; in 2007, this amount was increased to $2,200,000, with a special earmark for state chartered special schools; and in 2008, in a particularly difficult budget environment, the legislature continued the $2,200,000 appropriation. While this remains a relatively modest appropriation in light of the dramatic facilities needs of Georgia charter schools, it signals a willingness by the Georgia legislature to ameliorate some of the facilities challenges faced by petitioners. 24 Appendix A Charter Types There are four types of charter schools in Georgia: 1. Conversion: a charter school that existed as a local school prior to becoming a charter school. To apply as a conversion, a majority of the faculty and instructional staff members and a majority of parents or guardians of students enrolled in the petitioning school must vote by secret ballot to apply for a charter. 2. Start-up: a charter school created by a petition brought forth by private individuals, private organizations, or a state or local public entity. 3. Local Educational Agency (LEA) Start-up: a start-up charter school created by submission of a petition by the LEA to the local school board. 4. State Chartered Special School: a charter school created as a special school that is operating under the terms of a charter between the charter petitioner and the SBOE. Petitioners may apply to become a state chartered special school if their petition is first denied by the local board and they apply for state chartered special school status to the SBOE. Conversion charter school petitioners may not apply to be state chartered special schools. 5. System Charter School: a conversion charter school that is within an LEA granted system charter status by the SBOE. Four of the five types of charter schools in Georgia conversions, start-ups, LEA start-ups, and system charter schools are under the management and control of the local board, with the SBOE as a third party to the contract. Only state chartered special schools are under the management and control of the SBOE. Also, start-ups, LEA startups, and state chartered special schools are all created as new schools and cannot be existing public schools. Only conversion charter schools and system charter schools may be previously existing public schools. Testing History In 2000, the State instituted the first year of the state assessment, the Criterion Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT), to grades four, six, and eight. Spring 2002 and 2004 marked the first operational administrations in all grades, which includes English/ Language Arts, Mathematics, and Reading in grades 1 through 8. Science and Social Studies are covered in grades 3 through 8. Academic Data 25 From the academic data available on Georgia's public schools, this Report highlights the most useful. To look at progress over time, this Report includes standardized test scores for each charter school, its local district, and the state. This selection of data allows readers to compare the charter school's achievement level to the local district and the State as well as to compare the charter school's rate of improvement to the local district and the state. Further disaggregated data can be found for each charter school on the Governor's Office of Student Achievement website (www.gaosa.org). Demographic Data In order to determine whether charter schools reflect the demographics of their community, the demographics of the public schools in closest proximity to the charter school were examined, and these comparison demographics are included in each charter school's report. All demographic information was gathered from the 2006-2007 Governor's Office of Student Achievement Report Card and from the Georgia Department of Education's AYP/NCLB data. Progress Towards Goals and Financial Audit For locally approved charter schools, information on goals and the financial audit was provided by each charter school. This Report also contains information about the financial condition of each charter school, including whether each school had a surplus at the end of the reporting period and how much each school spent on facilities costs. Charter schools' progress towards the goals stated in their charters is important because, in conjunction with state and national accountability systems, charter schools are held accountable for meeting these goals. Acronyms Throughout the report, a number of acronyms appear. Among these are AYP or Adequate Yearly Progress; CRCT or Criterion Reference Competency Test; GHSGT or Georgia High School Graduation Test; GAEL or Georgia Association of Educational Leaders; GaDOE or Georgia Department of Education; SEA or State Educational Agency; LEA or Local Educational Agency; QBE or Quality Basic Education; NACSA or National Association of Charter School Authorizers; OPB or Office of Planning and Budget. 26 Acknowledgements A special thank you from the Charter Schools Division to the following individuals and teams for contributing time and data to this report: State Board of Education Charter Schools Committee: Mrs. Linda Zechmann, Chair Dr. James Bostic Dr. Mary Sue Polleys Mr. Jose Perez Mr. Brian Burdette GaDOE Office of Information Technology Darryl James, IT Project Manager IT Developers: Upendra Narra, Eshwar Kedari, Kelli Pardo, Aravind Thotakura Georgia Charter Schools Division Contact Information Georgia Department of Education 2053 Twin Towers East 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Dr. SE Atlanta, Georgia 30334-5040 (404) 657-0515 (404) 657-6978 (Fax) STAFF: Charter Schools Division Andrew Broy, Associate Superintendent, Policy & External Affairs Cayanna Collier-Good, Education Program Manager Jason Martin, Education Research and Evaluation Specialist Sarina Russotto, Charter School Legal Specialist Roxanne Tulloss, Charter School Division Paralegal Samantha Graham, Charter School Division Paralegal 27 28 ACADEMY OF LITHONIA CHARTER SCHOOL Contact Information Paulette Bolton, Richard Walls, Andrew Burks 3235 Evans Mill Road Lithonia, GA 30038 678-526-9655 Basic Facts District Type Opened Grades Served Enrollment Title I School Total Teachers Dekalb Start-Up 2001-08-01 K-7 483 No 40 Mission To promote academic excellence; to nurture an entrepreneurial spirit; and to foster a sense of self-respect and compassion for others. We will accomplish this mission by working cooperatively with families and communities. Demographics Distance from Charter School (in miles) Academy of Lithonia Charter School 0 Stoneview Marbut Elementary Elementary School School 1.4 1.7 DeKalb County N/A Georgia N/A Total Population 549 893 859 97,580 1,609,681 Diversity Caucasian 0% Black 97% Hispanic 0% Asian/Pacific Islander 0% American 0% Indian/Alaskan Native Multiracial 2% 1% 0% 10% 46% 90% 98% 75% 38% 6% 0% 9% 10% 0% 0% 3% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 2% 1% 3% 3% Special Populations ESOL 0% Gifted 3% Special Education 4% 5% 0% 5% 4% 0% 4% 11% 9% 9% 4% 9% 11% Free & Reduced Lunch: % of Total Population 20% 91% 57% 66% 51% 1 PROGRESS & PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP) INFORMATION 2008 Did your school make AYP? No Is your school in needs improvement? No 2007 Yes No For more information on this school's AYP results, please see www.gadoe.org, then go to AYP Report. 2006 No No ACADEMIC GOALS In the space below, select up to four (4) goals stated in your charter and report on your progress in each of these goals by writing a narrative not to exceed 100 words per goal. At least three of these goals must be quantifiable student test results. Goal 1 Description: The students will be better equipped to learn and implement practical every day life skills. The Academy's learning environment will foster the development of business minded youth. During the 2007-08 school year our students developed individual and classroom business plans. The entreprenuerial curriculum was infused into the core curriculum where applicable throughout the school year. In the spring of 2008 an Enterpreneurial Fair was held so that students could share their business plans, products and innovations with our parents, student body and comunity. Goal 2 Description: Seventy-nine percent of the students in grades 1-7 combined will meet or exceed expectations in Reading as measured by the Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Test. Based on the results of the Spring 2008 CRCT, eighty percent of the students in grades 1-7 combined met or exceeded expectations in Reading. Goal 3 Description: Seventy-nine percent of the students in grades 1-7 combined will meet or exceed expectations in Language Arts as measured by the CRCT. Based on the results of the Spring 2008 CRCT, eighty-three percent of the students in grades 1-7 combined met or exceeded expectations in Language Arts. 2 Goal 4 Description: Seventy-nine percent of the students in grades 1-7 combined will meet or exceed expectations in Mathematics as measured by the CRCT. Based on the results of the Spring 2008 CRCT, only fifty-three percent of the students in grades 1-7 combined met or exceeded expectations in Mathematics. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 1. Did school have surplus at the end of the 2007-2008 school year? No 2. Did school have a reserve fund? If so, what percentage of your No operational funding does the reserve represent? 3. Did your school raise more than $50,000 in private funding during No the 2007-2008 school year? FACILITIES INFORMATION 1. Do you own your facility? 2. Do you lease or rent a facility from a school district? If so, do you have plans to purchase the facility? 3. How much did you spend on facilities costs during the 2007-2008 school year? No No $759,414 TEST RESULTS 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ADDISON ELEMENTARY Contact Information Genie Byrd 3055 Ebenezer Road Marietta, GA 30066 770-578-2700 Basic Facts District Type Opened Grades Served Enrollment Title I School Total Teachers Cobb Conversion 1988-08-01 K-5 598 No 55 Mission Addison Elementary Staff assures our citizens literate, confident children who are interested in learning by providing a relevant curriculum facilitated by caring, lifelong learners in a safe child-centered environment. Demographics Distance from Charter School (in miles) Addison Elementary School 0 Rocky Mount Elementary School 1.6 Nicholson Elementary School 1.6 Cobb County N/A Georgia N/A Total Population 565 574 514 106,673 1,609,681 Diversity Caucasian 61% Black 13% Hispanic 11% Asian/Pacific Islander 6% American 0% Indian/Alaskan Native Multiracial 8% 76% 63% 47% 46% 8% 12% 30% 38% 5% 14% 15% 10% 6% 4% 4% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 6% 6% 4% 3% Special Populations ESOL 6% Gifted 8% Special Education 15% 0% 11% 6% 4% 10% 10% 11% 9% 13% 13% 11% 11% Free & Reduced Lunch: % of Total Population 25% 12% 28% 35% 51% 14 PROGRESS & PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP) INFORMATION 2008 Did your school make AYP? Yes Is your school in needs improvement? No 2007 Yes No For more information on this school's AYP results, please see www.gadoe.org, then go to AYP Report. 2006 Yes No ACADEMIC GOALS In the space below, select up to four (4) goals stated in your charter and report on your progress in each of these goals by writing a narrative not to exceed 100 words per goal. At least three of these goals must be quantifiable student test results. Goal 1 Description: Addison students will be at or above grade level in English Language Arts skills. According to the 2007 - 2008 CRCT AYP report, 96.2% of all Addison students met or exceeded standards in Reading/English/Language Arts. All subgroups achieved AYP with exemplary results in Reading/English/Language Arts. Additionally the economically disadvantaged students scored 96.7% for meets or exceed standards in Reading/English/Language Arts as well. Additionally the current school achievement gaps are reflected in the 2007-2008 AYP report by the Georgia Department of Education. Addison has 13.8% of the SWD not meeting standards in Reading/English/Language Arts compared to last year's 18.5% not meeting standards. Though we have made significant growth we will continue to monitor the progress our Students with Disabilities in this content area. When looking at all students, 39.7% exceed standards in the area of Reading/English/Language Arts, Caucasian students excelled with 43.5% of them exceeding standards as compared to 26.7% of our Black students who exceeded standards. 11.5% of Students with Disabilities exceeded standards. Additionally, 25.3% of economically disadvantaged students exceeded standards. These scores clearly identify the achievement gaps that need to be monitored for improvement for Addison students. Goal 2 Description: Additionally, the current school achievement gaps are reflected in the 2007-2008 AYP report by the Georgia Department of Education. Addison has 13.8% of the SWD not meeting standards in Reading/English/Language Arts compared to last year's 18.5% not meeting standards. Though we have made significant growth we will continue to monitor the progress our Students with Disabilities in this content 15 area. Addison students will be at or above grade level in Mathematics. A decline in scores was evidenced in the area of mathematics in the 2007-2008 CRCT results, with 91.0% of all Addison students that met or exceeded standards, compared to 94.4% in the 2006-2007 school year. Students with disabilities subgroup had 70.8% meeting or exceeding standards in 2007-08 CRCT results as compared to CRCT results of 200607 with 77.3% that met or exceeded standards. The economically disadvantaged students' Math scores also dropped from 94.1% in 2006-2007 to 86.7% in 2007-2008 that met or exceeding standards. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 1. Did school have surplus at the end of the 2007-2008 school year? No 2. Did school have a reserve fund? If so, what percentage of your No operational funding does the reserve represent? 3. Did your school raise more than $50,000 in private funding during No the 2007-2008 school year? FACILITIES INFORMATION 1. Do you own your facility? No 2. Do you lease or rent a facility from a school district? If so, do you No have plans to purchase the facility? 3. How much did you spend on facilities costs during the 2007-2008 $0 school year? 16 TEST RESULTS 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 AMANA ACADEMY Contact Information Lynne Hedgepeth 285 South Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009 678-624-0989 Basic Facts District Type Opened Grades Served Enrollment Title I School Total Teachers Fulton Start-Up 2005-08-15 K - 8 374 No 29 Mission Guided by the stewardship principle, Amana offers an experience that develops students with a balance of intellect and ethical character. The school strives to: Prepare students for high academic achievement; Expand student's capacity as powerful communicators; Equip students with a firm command of the Arabic language; Inspire ethical character; and Promote civic & environmental responsibility. Demographics Distance from Charter School (in miles) Amana Academy School 0 Summit Hill Elementary 1.4 Hopewell Middle School 1.9 Fulton County N/A Georgia N/A Total Population 364 Diversity Caucasian 34% Black 25% Hispanic 1% Asian/Pacific Islander 28% American 0% Indian/Alaskan Native Multiracial 12% Special Populations ESOL 6% Gifted 0% Special Education 6% 1,000 1,076 84,337 1,609,681 87% 68% 37% 46% 4% 14% 42% 38% 3% 7% 10% 10% 3% 6% 8% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 4% 4% 4% 3% 0% 2% 5% 4% 7% 30% 14% 9% 10% 11% 10% 11% Free & Reduced Lunch: % of Total Population 4% 2% 12% 37% 51% 25 PROGRESS & PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP) INFORMATION 2008 Did your school make AYP? Yes Is your school in needs improvement? No 2007 Yes No For more information on this school's AYP results, please see www.gadoe.org, then go to AYP Report. 2006 Yes No ACADEMIC GOALS In the space below, select up to four (4) goals stated in your charter and report on your progress in each of these goals by writing a narrative not to exceed 100 words per goal. At least three of these goals must be quantifiable student test results. Goal 1 Description: Goal: Amana Academy Charter students achievement will meet or exceed that of the average of district and state students on the state mandated CRCT. Data analysis of the 2008 CRCT results for all students in all grade levels indicate that Amana Academy students did exceed the district and state results at most grade levels and in most subject areas. In those areas in which students did not exceed, they met the district and state results. In the areas of Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies in particular the data indicates that Amana's students are achieving significantly higher than the district and state. In the areas of Math and Science, where particular grade levels saw brief decreases in scores from one year to another, they were increased the following year after focused intervention and staff development in those areas at those grade levels. However, Math and Science scores have remained at or above district and state averages all three years. Goal 2 Description: Goal: Amana Academy will showcase student achievement in writing. Amana Academy's students show significant achievement in the area of ELA on the state mandated CRCT as well as on the MAP assessment given to all students. All grade levels show above 90% of students receiving a level 2 or 3 consistently all three years of operation. Three grade levels had all 100% of students at levels 2 or 3. Amana's mission element of creating strong communicators is evidenced in this data. Amana's students receive focused writing instruction that allows them to be able to demonstrate this strength. The MAP results indicate that our students are achieving at substantially higher than national rates in Language Arts. Again, the focus on specific skills and elements has paid off in the results. 26 Goal 3 Description: Goal: Amana Academy Charter students achievement will meet or exceed that of the average of district and state students on the state mandated CRCT. (Students will show an increase in achievement on the Science test each year of operation.) Data in Science showed the most evidence of growth in the past three years. In year two of operation, the data showed a very strong need for increased focus on Science content at most grade levels. Amana responded by allocating more resources to Science and increasing staff development in this area. The results were dramatic in that every grade level saw and increase of students achieving at levels 2 and 3. Amana Academy's Expeditionary Learning framework lends it self to this focus in Science because of its interdisciplinary nature. Achievement in Science will only increase in years to come. Goal 4 Description: Goal: Amana Academy Charter students achievement will meet or exceed that of the average of district and state students on the state mandated CRCT. (At least 30% of students will show an achievement of level 3 at all grade levels on most subject area tests.) Further examination of the data also indicates that Amana's students are achieving at higher mastery levels than the district and state students as evidenced in the number of students at level 3 versus level 2. Most grade levels in all subject areas is showing more than one third of students achieving level 3. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 1. Did school have surplus at the end of the 2007-2008 school year? Yes 2. Did school have a reserve fund? If so, what percentage of your Yes operational funding does the reserve represent? 3. Did your school raise more than $50,000 in private funding during Yes the 2007-2008 school year? FACILITIES INFORMATION 1. Do you own your facility? 2. Do you lease or rent a facility from a school district? If so, do you have plans to purchase the facility? 3. How much did you spend on facilities costs during the 2007-2008 school year? No No $429,744 27 TEST RESULTS 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 ATLANTA CHARTER MIDDLE SCHOOL Contact Information Matt Underwood 820 Essie Avenue Atlanta, GA 30316 678-904-0051 Basic Facts District Type Opened Grades Served Enrollment Title I School Total Teachers Atlanta Public Schools Start-Up 2005-08-01 6 - 8 120 Yes 15 Mission The mission of the Atlanta Charter Middle School is to create a small, focused, and diverse middle school that nurtures the whole child through strong parental and community involvement and challenging academics. Demographics Distance from Charter School (in miles) Atlanta Charter Middle School 0 King Middle School 0.3 Price Middle School 1.9 Atlanta Public Schools N/A Georgia N/A Total Population 120 542 734 49,101 1,609,681 Diversity Caucasian 28% Black 60% Hispanic 8% Asian/Pacific Islander 1% American 0% Indian/Alaskan Native Multiracial 3% 2% 1% 10% 46% 92% 89% 84% 38% 4% 10% 5% 10% 1% 0% 1% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 0% 1% 3% Special Populations ESOL 2% Gifted 0% Special Education 18% 2% 5% 4% 3% 15% 11% 3% 4% 9% 9% 9% 11% Free & Reduced Lunch: % of Total Population 49% 96% 97% 76% 51% 42 PROGRESS & PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP) INFORMATION 2008 Did your school make AYP? Yes Is your school in needs improvement? No 2007 Yes No For more information on this school's AYP results, please see www.gadoe.org, then go to AYP Report. 2006 Yes No ACADEMIC GOALS In the space below, select up to four (4) goals stated in your charter and report on your progress in each of these goals by writing a narrative not to exceed 100 words per goal. At least three of these goals must be quantifiable student test results. Goal 1 Description: Goal: The school will make "adequate yearly progress" by meeting Georgia Department of Education's requirements under the "No Child Left Behind" Act each year. (Currently, a school is considered to have made adequate yearly progress if it meets annual performance targets as a school and within sub-groups by race, socioeconomic status, and students with disabilities. These performance targets are for student attendance, percentage of students participating in the Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT), and scores on the mathematics and reading sections of the CRCT.) ACMS once again met the terms of its charter in measures related to the educational program and academic achievement. More specifically, the school met all requirements of the Georgia Department of Education (GDOE) under the federal "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) Act. In Georgia, a public school is considered to have made "adequate yearly progress" (AYP) if it meets annual performance targets as a school and within sub-groups by race, socio-economic status, and students with disabilities. These performance targets are for student attendance, percentage of students participating in the Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT), and scores on the mathematics and reading sections of the CRCT. ACMS made AYP in all areas and within all sub-groups. Goal 2 Description: Goal: As a cohort group of students progresses through 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, the group's overall percentage meeting or exceeding standards on the Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) will increase each year, with a goal of increasing the number of students meeting or exceeding standards by 20% each year. Last year's 8th grade class gave us our first opportunity to make a comparison of 43 progress over the full three years at ACMS. Taking into account students who were enrolled at ACMS for all three years, the number of students meeting or exceeding standards increased from 93 percent to 100 percent in reading and 95 percent to 98 percent in language arts. In math, the number of students in the inaugural class of 2008 meeting or exceeding standards increased from 80 percent to 85 percent from 6th to 7th grades, but the percentage dropped to 83 percent in 8th grade. However, all of the 8th graders who did not meet or exceed standards initially did so on a summer re-take of the CRCT, helping us to meet this goal. Goal 3 Description: Goal: When ACMS contains grade 8, the Charter School will administer the State of Georgia selected national norm-referenced test in grade 8, at the same time as APS schools. ACMS will make every effort possible for 100% test participation. Students will, as a group, perform at or above grade-level equivalent. On the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, students in the 8th grade class performed, as a whole, above grade level in each component of the test. Goal 4 Description: Goal: Each year, the Charter School will include in its report to the Local Board a roster of the Governing Board for that year with the affiliations of all Board members noted. At least three Board members each year will be assigned by local community organizations and/or businesses. This goal has again been met with community representation on the ACMS Governing Board. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 1. Did school have surplus at the end of the 2007-2008 school year? 2. Did school have a reserve fund? If so, what percentage of your operational funding does the reserve represent? 3. Did your school raise more than $50,000 in private funding during the 2007-2008 school year? Yes Yes 27.5% No FACILITIES INFORMATION 1. Do you own your facility? Yes 2. Do you lease or rent a facility from a school district? If so, do you No 44 have plans to purchase the facility? 3. How much did you spend on facilities costs during the 2007-2008 school year? $162,919 TEST RESULTS 45 46 47 48 49 50 BACONTON COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL Contact Information Lynn Pinson 260 E. Walton St. Baconton, GA 31716 229-787-9999 Basic Facts District Type Opened Grades Served Enrollment Title I School Total Teachers Mitchell Start-Up 2000-09-05 PK-12 686 No 45 Mission The mission of Baconton Community Charter School is to provide a safe, nurturing atmosphere in which to guide a diverse student body in the development of character and academic potential through a rigorous, content-rich, hands-on curriculum and on-going character enrichment that leads to an understanding of virtuous behavior and civic responsibility. Demographics Distance from Charter School (in miles) Baconton Community Charter School 0 Lamar Reese School of the Arts 9.5 Radium Springs Middle School 10.2 Mitchell County N/A Georgia N/A Total Population 667 574 628 2,462 1,609,681 Diversity Caucasian 88% Black 9% Hispanic 1% Asian/Pacific Islander 1% American 0% Indian/Alaskan Native Multiracial 0% 1% 5% 31% 46% 99% 94% 64% 38% 0% 1% 4% 10% 0% 0% 0% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 3% Special Populations ESOL 0% Gifted 0% Special Education 10% 0% 0% 1% 4% 0% 0% 2% 9% 8% 12% 10% 11% 51 Free & Reduced Lunch: % of Total Population 36% 88% 92% 76% 51% PROGRESS & PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP) INFORMATION 2008 Did your school make AYP? Yes Is your school in needs improvement? No 2007 Yes No For more information on this school's AYP results, please see www.gadoe.org, then go to AYP Report. 2006 Yes No ACADEMIC GOALS In the space below, select up to four (4) goals stated in your charter and report on your progress in each of these goals by writing a narrative not to exceed 100 words per goal. At least three of these goals must be quantifiable student test results. Goal 1 Description: On the Stanford Achievement Test, Ninth edition, our goal is for regular education students in kindergarten to score 75%ile in reading & math, 1st grade students to score 70%ile, and 2nd-11th graders to score 60%ile, scores which are significantly above the national average. For this report, scores include all students; no special education student scores have been backed out of this report. The following data is from the Spring 2008 administration of the Stanford Achievement Test, Ninth Edition: Kindergarten reading 88%, math 82%; First grade reading 88%, math 86%; Second grade reading 74%, math 84%; Third grade reading 60%, math 69%; Fourth grade reading 67%, math 81%; Fifth grade reading 56%, math 58%; Sixth grade reading 60%, math 72%; Seventh grade reading 57%, math 71%; Eighth grade reading 57%, math 65%; Ninth grade reading 59%, math 68%; Tenth grade reading 59%, math 54%; Eleventh grade reading 66%, math 53%. In reading, seven grades met or exceeded the goal, while five grades ranged from 1-4% below the goal. In math, nine grades met or exceeded the goal, while only three ranged from 2-7% below the goal. Goal 2 Description: Our goal for the CRCT is to have at least 90% of students meet or exceed standards in each subject area. In reading, grades 1-8 accomplished this goal. Grade 1: 98%, Grade 2: 97%; Grade 3: 91%; Grade 4: 95%; Grade 5; 94%; Grade 6: 96%; Grade 7: 92% and Grade 8: 92%. In math, we experienced declining scores in several grades 52 as a result of the implementation of the new GPS. Grade 1: 98%; Grade 2: 98%; Grade 3: 59%; Grade 4: 83%; Grade 5: 53%; Grade 6: 82%; Grade 7: 89%; Grade 8: 70%. Goal 3 Description: Our goal is for all students to pass each section of the Georgia High School Graduation Tests prior to their scheduled graduation date. 87% of eleventh graders met or exceeded on the GHSWT on the first attempt. Of the four students who did not meet, three have since passed on the retest. Our average score was 216, just under the state average of 218; however, it should be noted that the score of one special needs student was 100 and when the average is refigured with the remaining 31 scores, the class average jumps to 220, which is more indicative of the performance of the students. Scaled scores ranged as high as 261. On the GHSGT, 94% met or exceeded on the English Language Arts test. Of those, 48% scored advanced or honors level. In Math, 94% met or exceeded, with 47% of those scoring advanced. In Science, 100% of students passed, with 58% scoring advanced or honors. In Social Studies, 94% passed, with 45% of those scoring pass plus. Students who did not pass on the first attempt have since passed each of the four sections on the GHSGT. Goal 4 Description: Our goal for the EOCT is to meet or exceed the average state scaled scores in each subject area. Our mean scale scores for the EOCT in each of the eight subject areas were consistently above the System, RESA and State scores. In addition, the following data indicate the percentage of students in each course who met or exceeded the standards: Algebra I 74%; Geometry 64%; Ninth Grade Literature & Composition 94%; American Literature & Composition 94%; Biology 89%; Physical Science 88%; U.S. History 78%; Economics 87%. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 1. Did school have surplus at the end of the 2007-2008 school year? Yes 2. Did school have a reserve fund? If so, what percentage of your No operational funding does the reserve represent? 3. Did your school raise more than $50,000 in private funding during No the 2007-2008 school year? FACILITIES INFORMATION 53 1. Do you own your facility? 2. Do you lease or rent a facility from a school district? If so, do you have plans to purchase the facility? 3. How much did you spend on facilities costs during the 2007-2008 school year? Yes No $314,400 TEST RESULTS 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 BERRIEN ACADEMY Contact Information Chris Huckans 1015 Exum Rd. Nashvile, GA 31639 229 686-6576 Basic Facts District Type Opened Grades Served Enrollment Title I School Total Teachers Berrien Start-Up 2005-08-07 9 - 12 67 No 5 Mission The Berrien Academy will strive to provide students with equal access to quality educational programs and the necessary social services in an environment that allows students the opportunity to achieve their maximum learning potential. Demographics Distance from Charter School (in miles) Berrien Academy Performance Learning Center 0 Berrien Cook High School County High School 1.2 12.0 Berrien County N/A Georgia N/A Total Population 72 864 790 3,020 1,609,681 Diversity Caucasian 79% Black 18% Hispanic 1% Asian/Pacific Islander 0% American 0% Indian/Alaskan Native Multiracial 1% 81% 56% 78% 46% 15% 38% 14% 38% 3% 4% 5% 10% 0% 1% 0% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 3% 3% Special Populations ESOL 0% Gifted 0% Special Education 0% 1% 1% 1% 4% 11% 10% 7% 9% 9% 8% 12% 11% Free & Reduced Lunch: % of Total Population 65% 50% 50% 59% 51% 68 PROGRESS & PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP) INFORMATION 2008 Did your school make AYP? N/A Is your school in needs improvement? No 2007 N/A No For more information on this school's AYP results, please see www.gadoe.org, then go to AYP Report. 2006 N/A No ACADEMIC GOALS In the space below, select up to four (4) goals stated in your charter and report on your progress in each of these goals by writing a narrative not to exceed 100 words per goal. At least three of these goals must be quantifiable student test results. Goal 1 Description: To assist the Berrien County School system in raising the graduation rate. The year prior to Berrien Academy's initial year the graduation rate was below 50%. In the three years since operation began the graduation rate has risen to 82%. The ability of the school to offer accelerated class offereings and after school programs gives students the opportunity to make up failed credits. Goal 2 Description: Increase scores on graduation tests. Results from the spring 2008 administration were very promising. 100% of the students taking the Language Arts exam for the first time passed the test. Only one first time test taker failed the Math portion of the exam. Overall first time test takers passed over 80% of the test sections administered. No first time test taker failed all sections of the test. With this said, a number of the passing scores in the Language Arts and Math sections did not meet the higher AYP requirements. Goal 3 Description: Increase scores on End of Course Tests. During the 2007/2008 school term the average scores on EOCT's rose by five points. These scores are still lower than the traditional school's in many areas as well as the state. Berrien Academy did win a distinguished school award from the DOE for being on of the 10 schools with the greatest improvement on Algebra EOCT scores. 69 Goal 4 Description: Improve the scores on the GHSGT Writing section. Scores on this exam were lower than the state and system averages. Overall only two first time test takers failed the exam. The student population of Berrien Academy has all been deemed at risk for not graduating. These scores, while not as high as we would like do show a great deal of work from our students and faculty. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 1. Did school have surplus at the end of the 2007-2008 school year? No 2. Did school have a reserve fund? If so, what percentage of your No operational funding does the reserve represent? 3. Did your school raise more than $50,000 in private funding during No the 2007-2008 school year? FACILITIES INFORMATION 1. Do you own your facility? 2. Do you lease or rent a facility from a school district? If so, do you have plans to purchase the facility? 3. How much did you spend on facilities costs during the 2007-2008 school year? No No $30,000 70 BISHOP HALL CHARTER SCHOOL Contact Information Rich Johnson 1819 E. Clay St. Thomasville, GA 31792 229 227-1397 Basic Facts District Type Opened Grades Served Enrollment Title I School Total Teachers Thomas Start-Up 1999-07-01 9 - 12 112 No 7 Mission Provide students with academically sound and individually relevant curricula and social services within a safe, caring, and challenging environment which builds self-respect, self-reliance, and healthy decision-making skills. Our goal is to equip students with the necessary skills to become successful, lifelong learners and socially competent, productive members of the global community. Demographics Distance from Charter School (in miles) Bishop Hall Charter School 0 Thomasville High School 1.2 Thomas County Central High School 1.4 Thomas County N/A Georgia N/A Total Population 117 780 1,605 5,434 1,609,681 Diversity Caucasian 58% Black 39% Hispanic 1% Asian/Pacific Islander 1% American 0% Indian/Alaskan Native Multiracial 1% 15% 62% 63% 46% 83% 33% 31% 38% 1% 2% 2% 10% 0% 1% 1% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 2% 3% Special Populations ESOL 0% Gifted 0% Special Education 0% 0% 0% 1% 4% 8% 0% 5% 9% 12% 12% 15% 11% 71 Free & Reduced Lunch: % of Total Population 41% 65% 49% 56% 51% PROGRESS & PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP) INFORMATION 2008 Did your school make AYP? N/A Is your school in needs improvement? No 2007 N/A No For more information on this school's AYP results, please see www.gadoe.org, then go to AYP Report. 2006 N/A No ACADEMIC GOALS In the space below, select up to four (4) goals stated in your charter and report on your progress in each of these goals by writing a narrative not to exceed 100 words per goal. At least three of these goals must be quantifiable student test results. Goal 1 Description: Maintain the low dropout rates for grades 9 - 12. Drop out rates have fluctuated since NCLB (2002) when Thomas County hit a low of 1.3% changed by NCLB for the same year to 2.2%. For the last few years, dropout rates have held at 3.2% despite the increase in completion rates. With definitions changing at both the state and national level, consistency on some of these issues is difficult to measure. Goal 2 Description: Maintain or increase the high school completion rate. Bishop Hall graduated more students in 2007-08 than in any other single year in its nine year history. Thomas County completion rate was 82% with a 76% graduation rate for 2006-07, our most recent data year. Again, since NCLB (2002) our graduation rate has hit a high of 89.1%. Goal 3 Description: Increase the number of students receiving a diploma with vocational endorsement from the Thomas County school system. In 2007-08, Bishop Hall graduated its largest number of students (32). Most (24) received a vocational endorsement. 72 Goal 4 Description: Increase the number of students receiving a diploma with college prep endorsements from the Thomas County school system. In 2007-08, Bishop Hall graduated a record number of students with high school diplomas. We require most of our students to successfully complete at least one course at either Thomas University or Southwest Georgia Technical College in order to earn a Bishop Hall high school diploma. Fewer students are attempting college endorsements since the shift from technical school to technical college. Neverthe less, eight (8) students received college endorsements. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 1. Did school have surplus at the end of the 2007-2008 school year? 2. Did school have a reserve fund? If so, what percentage of your operational funding does the reserve represent? 3. Did your school raise more than $50,000 in private funding during the 2007-2008 school year? Yes Yes Our reserve is approximately 85% of one year's operating expenses, nearly $1,000,000. Yes FACILITIES INFORMATION 1. Do you own your facility? 2. Do you lease or rent a facility from a school district? If so, do you have plans to purchase the facility? 3. How much did you spend on facilities costs during the 2007-2008 school year? No No $58,030 73 TEST RESULTS 74 75 BRIGHTEN ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Contact Information Soundra Pollocks 3264 Brookmont Parkway Douglasville, GA 30135 770-615-3675 Basic Facts District Type Opened Grades Served Enrollment Title I School Total Teachers Douglas Start-Up 2006-08-01 K-7 332 No 23 Mission The mission of Brighten Academy is to provide a productive learning environment with a highly qualified staff committed to using an innovative, researched based instructional model that produces measured growth in every student every year. Demographics Distance from Charter School (in miles) Brighten Academy 0 Arbor Station Elementary School 1.3 Chapel Hill Elementary School 1.5 Douglas County N/A Georgia N/A Total Population 341 612 775 24,586 1,609,681 Diversity Caucasian 65% Black 27% Hispanic 3% Asian/Pacific Islander 2% American 0% Indian/Alaskan Native Multiracial 3% 43% 41% 39% 46% 42% 48% 47% 38% 6% 4% 8% 10% 2% 2% 1% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 8% 5% 5% 3% Special Populations ESOL 0% Gifted 40% Special Education 7% 2% 1% 3% 4% 8% 24% 10% 9% 10% 8% 11% 11% Free & Reduced Lunch: % of Total Population 4% 39% 40% 49% 51% 76 PROGRESS & PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP) INFORMATION 2008 Did your school make AYP? Yes Is your school in needs improvement? No 2007 Yes No For more information on this school's AYP results, please see www.gadoe.org, then go to AYP Report. 2006 No No ACADEMIC GOALS In the space below, select up to four (4) goals stated in your charter and report on your progress in each of these goals by writing a narrative not to exceed 100 words per goal. At least three of these goals must be quantifiable student test results. Goal 1 Description: Brighten Academy met and exceeded district and state Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) average scores. We met or exceeded state scores in all areas (Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies) except 2nd grade Reading. The percentage of students who did not meet across the state was 8.0% and the percentage of students who did not meet for Brighten Academy was 8.3%. We met or exceeded the district average scores in all areas. Brighten Academy was recognized as one of the Schools of Distinction for the CRCT Grade 1 achievement in reading, with 77.8% exceeding standards. The Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) report showed that we exceeded district scores in all subject areas in grades 3 and 5. Although the percentile scores for 3rd grade on the ITBS test were lower than last year, 5th grade increased in all five areas (Reading, Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science). Goal 2 Description: The Writing Assessment reflected meeting and exceeding district scores in 3rd and 5th grade. The scores revealed the following scores in four areas of Writing (Informational, Persuasive, Narrative, and Response). Brighten Academy percentage scores were (I) 18-34-39-25, (P) 33-35-16-9, (N) 9-9-7-14, and (R) 9-30-7-12. The district percentage scores were (I) 29-51-47-35, (P) 37-47-54-32, (N) 24-32-31-37, and (R) 45-32-44-31. The state percentage scores were (I) 17-26-27-29, (P) 19-27-2930, (N) 18-24-27-32, and (R) 22-26-28-31. Brighten Academy students increased by 4% in Level 3 (Meets), 8% increase in Level 3 (Exceeds), and a 4% increase in Level 3 (Meets and Exceeds). The Writing Assessment assessed students in four domains (Ideas, Organization, Conventions, and Style). Brighten Academy met or exceeded 77 the system and state in 3 out of 4 indicators for Ideas, 1 out of 4 skills for Organizations, 100% of the skills for Conventions, and 3 out of 4 skills for Style. For 5th grade, score percentages met or exceeded in 4 areas of the Writing Assessment. Brighten Academy met or exceeded the system and state by .4% in the area of Ideas; .6% for Organization; .6% for Style; and .5% for Conventions. The system and state averaged 2.8% while Brighten Academy averaged 3.3%. Goal 3 Description: Brighten Academy's mission is for students to make measured growth each year. In order to check compliance with our mission, we analyzed the data for our 2007-2008 5th grade class. Standard scores in mathematics on the CRCT from the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 school years were analyzed to determine the average standard score gain/loss for this cohort group. The group gained an average of 56.3 points in mathematics. The highest gain was 148 points and the highest loss was 34 points. Only three students, out of 30, did not make progress. Also, 5th grade ranked number 23 out of 1,183 schools on the 2008 Georgia Report Card for Parents. With an achievement score of 99% and exceeding standards by 54%, Brighten Academy was the only school in Douglas County included in the top 25 schools. Goal 4 Description: Character Development: Data from the 2007-2008 school year was compared to the 2006-2007 school year in an effort to increase student awareness in the 7C's, our curricular framework, which includes character, commitment, critical thinking, creativity, curiosity, community, and culture. Students earned Sunshine Slips by displaying one of the 7C's in the classroom, school, or community. Our goal is to maintain or increase character recognition each year. The following gains/losses were attained from 2006-2007 to 2007-2008: Character - +60 Commitment - (+240) Critical Thinking - (+ 208) Creativity - (+66) Curiosity - (+22) Community - (-9) Culture - (+3) We also continued to track discipline infractions and reported the data in monthly Board meetings in an effort to keep all stakeholders abreast of school safety and student behavior in regards to the mission of the charter. The data for our Code of Conduct is as follows: Assignments Incomplete/ Academic Issues (18) Attendance (9) Defiance (28) Disruption (16) Language/Gestures - (7) Physical Contact (pushing, hitting, horseplay, etc.) (38) Quarreling (8) Dishonesty (lying, stealing) (8) Electronic Devices (1) Other (spitting, etc.) (5) Damaging or Misusing Property/Materials (8) Disrespect (3) Bullying (silent or physical) (4) Unauthorized Area/Skipping Class (5) Abuse of Technology - (1) 78 FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 1. Did school have surplus at the end of the 2007-2008 school year? No 2. Did school have a reserve fund? If so, what percentage of your No operational funding does the reserve represent? 3. Did your school raise more than $50,000 in private funding during Yes the 2007-2008 school year? FACILITIES INFORMATION 1. Do you own your facility? 2. Do you lease or rent a facility from a school district? If so, do you have plans to purchase the facility? 3. How much did you spend on facilities costs during the 2007-2008 school year? No No $125,390.52 TEST RESULTS 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 CENTRAL EDUCATIONAL CENTER Contact Information Mark Whitlock 160 Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive Newnan, GA 30263 678-423-2009 Basic Facts District Type Opened Grades Served Enrollment Title I School Total Teachers Coweta Start-Up 2000-08-10 9 - 12 1087 37 Mission Ensure a viable 21st century workforce. Demographics The CEC is not a home school and therefore no demographic data is available. Testing data is reported through the district. Distance from Charter School (in miles) Total Population Diversity Caucasian % Black % Hispanic % Asian/Pacific Islander % American % Indian/Alaskan Native Multiracial % Special Populations ESOL % Gifted % Special Education % Free & Reduced Lunch: % of Total Population % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % 90 PROGRESS & PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP) INFORMATION 2008 Did your school make AYP? N/A Is your school in needs improvement? N/A 2007 N/A N/A For more information on this school's AYP results, please see www.gadoe.org, then go to AYP Report. 2006 N/A N/A ACADEMIC GOALS In the space below, select up to four (4) goals stated in your charter and report on your progress in each of these goals by writing a narrative not to exceed 100 words per goal. At least three of these goals must be quantifiable student test results. Goal 1 Description: The Charter School will cause Coweta County Schools to exceed the majority of USDE benchmarks in Perkins' accountability measures in Years 1-5 of this Agreement. CEC has consistently achieved this goal which includes academic and graduation measures as defined by the Federal Perkins grant and applied by State Board action in Georgia. Goal 2 Description: The Charter School will cause Coweta County Schools to produce graduates whose high school diplomas have dual seals. The number of dual seal diplomas will be substantially the same as are the number of college prep diplomas in Years 1-5 of this Agreement. The new graduation rule, that eliminates the distinction among diploma types, has decreased the attention that our schools pay to this particular diploma type. As we prepare to implement the new graduation rule, this goal will become irrelevant. Goal 3 Description: The Charter School will cause the percentage of Coweta County students dualenrolled in technical college programs to increase in Years 1-5 of this Agreement. Coweta County School System and West Central Technical College have continued to solidify the partnership that created CEC. New Technical College programs were added in 2007-8 and the percentage of students involved in those programs reached 91 its highest level during this charter period. The importance of these programs can be seen in university-level research, and subsequent data, that shows approximately 98% of high school students who earn Technical College Certificates of Credit (a group of courses connected to produce both industry-standard skills and some portion of an Associate Degree attainment) graduate from high school on-time and succeed in both the workplace and in additional post-secondary education. This helps to improve our overall on-time graduation rate and it generates significant engagement by local business and industry. Goal 4 Description: The Charter School will increase the number of Coweta County students in workbased learning programs by 25% during the period of this Agreement. Likewise, engagement in work-based learning has become a predictor of student success both in on-time graduation and in post-high school achievement. During the 2007-2008 year, CEC saw the largest number of students ever participating in work-based learning. We helped DOE model a new organizational structure for work-based learning that we had piloted here during the last three years. That structure works and this generates both student achievement and significant engagement by local business and industry. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 1. Did school have surplus at the end of the 2007-2008 school year? No 2. Did school have a reserve fund? If so, what percentage of your No operational funding does the reserve represent? 3. Did your school raise more than $50,000 in private funding during Yes the 2007-2008 school year? FACILITIES INFORMATION 1. Do you own your facility? 2. Do you lease or rent a facility from a school district? If so, do you have plans to purchase the facility? 92 No Yes, Coweta County School System provides the facility for use specifically by Central Educational Center (CEC) at no cost. 3. How much did you spend on facilities costs during the 2007-2008 $0 school year? 93 CHAMBLEE CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL Contact Information Rochelle Lowery 3688 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road Chamblee, GA 30341 678-676-6903 Basic Facts District Type Opened Grades Served Enrollment Title I School Total Teachers Dekalb Conversion 1917-09-10 9 12 1358 No 91 Mission The mission of Chamblee Charter High School is to foster excellence by promoting the intellectual, social, moral and physical growth of every student. Demographics Distance from Charter School (in miles) Chamblee Charter High School 0 Dunwoody High School 3.3 Lakeside High School 3.9 DeKalb County N/A Georgia N/A Total Population 1,392 1,355 1,590 97,580 1,609,681 Diversity Caucasian 30% Black 50% Hispanic 7% Asian/Pacific Islander 10% American 0% Indian/Alaskan Native Multiracial 4% 45% 44% 10% 46% 32% 30% 75% 38% 14% 13% 9% 10% 6% 9% 3% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 2% 4% 3% 3% Special Populations ESOL 3% Gifted 42% Special Education 7% 3% 5% 5% 4% 25% 22% 11% 9% 12% 8% 9% 11% Free & Reduced Lunch: % of Total Population 32% 25% 29% 66% 51% 94 PROGRESS & PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP) INFORMATION 2008 Did your school make AYP? Yes Is your school in needs improvement? No 2007 Yes No For more information on this school's AYP results, please see www.gadoe.org, then go to AYP Report. 2006 Yes No ACADEMIC GOALS In the space below, select up to four (4) goals stated in your charter and report on your progress in each of these goals by writing a narrative not to exceed 100 words per goal. At least three of these goals must be quantifiable student test results. Goal 1 Description: The number of students taking at least one Advanced Placement (AP) test will increase five percent over the duration of the charter. 2005-282 students-baseline data; 2006-355 students-26% increase from 2005-2006; 2007-371 students-32% increase from 2005-2007. Administrators, teachers, parents, and student exerted a concerted effort for the past several years to increase the number of students enrolled in AP courses at CCHS. This involved: 1. elevating student awareness of the benefits of enrolling and remaining in AP courses; 2. informing students and parents of the rigorous academic requirements of the AP program, but in a manner that would minimize discouraging them from the program; 3. consulting with their respective AP subject teachers to plan and incorporate the necessary academic requirements that are necessary for students to succeed in the AP program; 4. providing up to 30 hours, beyond the classroom time, of intensive preparation for the AP Exams Goal 2 Description: The percentage of students passing the Science portion of the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) will increase 3% over the duration of the charter. 200580%-baseline; 2006-88%-8% increase from 2005-2006; 2007-85%-5% increase from 2005-2007. For a number of years, one of the major goals of CCHS was increasing the percent of students passing the Science portion of the GHSGT. The following action was taken: 1. Every week, copies of new scientific terminologies were disseminated to teacher to be posted in visible places in every classroom; 2. In addition to the regularly scheduled science classes, a special program was set up for students who were struggling in science. For several weeks, two science teachers volunteered to work with these students by presenting some attractive incentives, which motivated these students to attend the program. The 8% and 5% increase in the 95 number of students passing the science portion of the GHSGT during 2006 and 2007 can be attributed to the intervention program. Goal 3 Description: The percentage of students scoring a pass plus in all four content areas of the GHSGT will increase over the duration of the charter for resident and magnet students. Resident: 2005-16%-baseline; 2006-21%-5% increase from 2005-2006; 2007-14%- 2% decrease from 2005-2007. Magnet: 2005-63%-baseline; 2006-80%-17% increase from 2005-2006; 2007-69%- 6% increase from 2005-2007. Starting the second semester of 2005 through 2006, a mutual consensus was reached between the administrators and teacher to ask the students to have pride in their GHSGT and aspire to a higher score and not settle on just a passing score. Since this message was frequently repeated to the students, it produced positive results in 2006 as the data indicate. However, the pass plus scores were disappointing in 2007--especially for the resident students. This is a reminder that, year after year, it is important to consistently have high expectations of students involving all aspects of their education. Goal 4 Description: A comparative effectiveness of the accelerated mathematics curriculum will be chartered over the duration of the charter. Chamblee Charter High School has been showcasing the Accelerated Mathematics Program (AMP). The unique AMP curriculum optimizes the achievements of motivated students by challenging them beyond the customary offerings in high school. The comparative effectiveness of the AMP has been charted, and the data--consistently--have demonstrated that our AMP students, who participate in about 50 local, state, and national math tournaments per year, either outperform or score near the top in comparison with other accelerated students from the best private and public high school in Georgia and the United States. A brief summary of results from 2005-2008 is presented to demonstrate how CCHS students in the AMP perform compared to other accelerated mathematics students at the local, state, and national levels. Greater Atlanta Mathematics Exams:First-2005, 2006, 2007, 2008; Cobb Invitational Mathematics Tournament: First-2005, 2006, 2007; Lassiter Invitational Mathematics Tournament: First-2005, 2006; Rockdale Invitational Mathematics Tournament: First-2005, 2007; Georgia Mathematics League (about 80 H.S. across Georgia: Second-2005, First-2006, 2007; American Scholastic Mathe-matics Competitions:(H.S. from the USA and Canada) Top Nat. Tier-2005, Top Nat. Tier-2006, 2007, 2008; The Mandelbrot Competitions (H.S. from USA):Top Nat. Tier-2005, 2006, 2007; Continental Calculus League: (H.S. from the USA) Top Nat. Tier-2005, 2007, 2008, Nat. 6th- 2006; Math Fax, National Algebra II (H.S. from the USA): Nat. 3rd-2005-2006, 2nd-2007; Math Fax, National Advanced Mathematics (H.S. from the USA) 3rd-2005-2006, 2nd-2007, 1st2008. Another major indicator of the success of CCHS AMP is the number of students who participate in the American Mathematics Competitions (150-170) and 96 earn high scores to be invited to the prestigious American Invitational Mathematics Examinations FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 1. Did school have surplus at the end of the 2007-2008 school year? No 2. Did school have a reserve fund? If so, what percentage of your No operational funding does the reserve represent? 3. Did your school raise more than $50,000 in private funding during No the 2007-2008 school year? FACILITIES INFORMATION 1. Do you own your facility? No 2. Do you lease or rent a facility from a school district? If so, do you No have plans to purchase the facility? 3. How much did you spend on facilities costs during the 2007-2008 $0 school year? TEST RESULTS 97 98 CHARLES R. DREW CHARTER SCHOOL Contact Information Barbara Preuss 301 East Lake Boulevard Atlanta, GA 30317 404-687-0001 ext 2222 Basic Facts District Type Opened Grades Served Enrollment Title I School Total Teachers Atlanta Public Schools Start-Up 2000-08-07 PK to 8 805 Yes 78 Mission Our mission at Drew Charter is to work together as a community of teachers, staff, students, families and volunteers to provide a learning environment that emphasizes high achievement and character development. Demographics Distance from Charter School (in miles) Charles R. Drew Charter School 0 Toomer Elementary School 1.1 Terry Mill Elementary School 1.1 Atlanta Public Schools N/A Georgia N/A Total Population 784 173 277 49,101 1,609,681 Diversity Caucasian 0% Black 98% Hispanic 1% Asian/Pacific Islander 0% American 0% Indian/Alaskan Native Multiracial 1% 2% 0% 10% 46% 94% 99% 84% 38% 1% 0% 5% 10% 1% 0% 1% 3% 1% 0% 0% 0% 2% 1% 1% 3% Special Populations ESOL 0% Gifted 3% Special Education 12% 1% 0% 2% 2% 19% 8% 3% 4% 9% 9% 9% 11% Free & Reduced Lunch: % of Total Population 82% 91% 93% 76% 51% 99 PROGRESS & PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP) INFORMATION 2008 Did your school make AYP? Yes Is your school in needs improvement? No 2007 Yes No For more information on this school's AYP results, please see www.gadoe.org, then go to AYP Report. 2006 Yes No ACADEMIC GOALS In the space below, select up to four (4) goals stated in your charter and report on your progress in each of these goals by writing a narrative not to exceed 100 words per goal. At least three of these goals must be quantifiable student test results. Goal 1 Description: Continuous improvement of student achievement is a consistent goal of Drew's Charter and Strategic Plan. We can officially celebrate the fact that Drew made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for the 2007-2008 school year and will maintain its "Distinguished School" rating for having met AYP requirements for four consecutive years. Highlights regarding Drew's academic achievement are: Overall, 90.9% of Drew students met or exceeded standards in the AYP grades (3rd-8th) in Reading/English Language Arts. This is a 5% improvement. 1st, 6th, and 7th grades demonstrated significant improvement with the new Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) in Mathematics with gains of 7, 10, and 20 percent respectively. In grades 1st8th where baseline allows us to make reliable comparisons, Drew students improved 2% in Reading, 11% in Science, 7% in Mathematics, and 1% in Language Arts for an overall improvement of 4%. Drew students in 3rd, 6th, and 7th grades demonstrated significant improvement with GPS in Science with gains of 16%, 36%, and 12% respectively. Drew received an award from State Superintendent Kathy Cox in 6th grade science for being among the top ten schools with the greatest gains in the percentage of students meeting and exceeding standards. Goal 2 Description: Drew's Charter and Strategic Plan share the common understanding that reading instruction must foster high levels of literacy. To ensure Drew's Kindergarten students build a strong foundation in literacy, a new Pre-K program was established in conjunction with the Atlanta Speech School's Rollins Center of Language & Learning. The mission of the Pre-K program is to provide young children with appropriate learning experiences. These experiences foster their language, cognitive, social and emotional development through explicit instruction, classroom discourse, 100 and dialogue between and among teachers and students which is essential to helping young children reach their fullest potential and be successful in school and eventually the work place. On-going data collection throughout the year included assessments to monitor student progress. Upon exiting the Pre-K program, these are the findings. 94% of the students scored within or above range in the area of beginning Sound Awareness. 88% of the students scored within or above range in the area of Print and Word Awareness. 100% of the students scored within or above range in the area of Rhyme and Nursery Rhyme awareness. 100% of the students scored within or above range in the area of Letter and Sound recognition. Goal 3 Description: An additional Charter Goal which is emphasized in the Strategic Plan is parental and community involvement. Parents are afforded opportunities to participate directly in the school's program through the Board, Board Committees and Task Forces, PTA, and Volunteer programs. Drew parent's and teachers participate in quarterly conferences to provide accurate assessment of the accomplishments and needs of each child. Drew's Parent Liaison organizes volunteer opportunities at the school site to help parents become active supporters of their child's education. To ensure the best possible opportunities, Drew receives support from a variety of community and education partners. These include the Rollins Center for Language & Learning, the Center for Teaching at Westminster Schools, the Center for Civic Engagement at Oglethorpe University, Georgia State University School of Music, University of Georgia and the Georgia Institute for Technology. Drew's relationship with the East Lake Foundation provides the school with funding for the before- and after-school program. The East Lake Family YMCA provides the facility for the school's physical education programming. Drew offers a variety of enrichment opportunities to students through curricular and extracurricular activities. These activities include golf through the First Tee, dance, drama, chorus, band, Spanish, technology and the visual arts. Goal 4 Description: The school has met or exceeded the stipulated charter benchmarks of the Criterion Reference Competency Test results with regards to decreasing the percentage of students not meeting standards by 3 percentage points in grades 3-8 in reading, language arts, math, and science. In Social Studies, the percentage of students not meeting standards was decreased by 2 percent. The following indicates the decrease in percentage of students not meeting standards. Reading decreased 4% Language Arts decreased 3 % Math Grades 3, 4, 5 and 8 were tested for the first time with the new standards (GPS), therefore, cannot be compared to the previous year. Math Grades 6 -7 decreased 8% Social Studies/QCC Grades 3, 4, 5 decreased 2% Social Studies/GPS Grades 6-7 were tested; however, the scores were disqualified by the state. Social Studies/GPS Grade 8 was tested for the first time with the new standards (GPS), therefore, cannot be compared to the previous year. Science/GPS Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 decreased 11% Science/GPS Grade 8 was tested for the 101 first time with the new standards (GPS), therefore, cannot be compared to the previous year. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 1. Did school have surplus at the end of the 2007-2008 school year? Yes 2. Did school have a reserve fund? If so, what percentage of your Yes. operational funding does the reserve represent? 3. Did your school raise more than $50,000 in private funding during No the 2007-2008 school year? FACILITIES INFORMATION 1. Do you own your facility? Yes 2. Do you lease or rent a facility from a school district? If so, do you No have plans to purchase the facility? 3. How much did you spend on facilities costs during the 2007-2008 $0 school year? TEST RESULTS 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 CHARTER CONSERVATORY FOR LIBERAL ARTS & TECHNOLOGY Contact Information Dr. Kathy T. Harwood 149 Northside Drive East Statesboro, GA 30458 912-764-5888 Basic Facts District Type Opened Grades Served Enrollment Title I School Total Teachers Bulloch State Charter 2002-08-07 6 - 12 132 Yes 14.5 Mission Charter Conservatory's educational environment fosters a love for learning, student initiative and innovation, multi-grade, student-centered classrooms that employ constructivist and multiple intelligence theory. Demographics CCAT School Distance from Charter 0 School (in miles) William James Middle School 0.7 Portal Middle/Hig h School 10.5 Bulloch County N/A Georgia N/A Total Population 123 542 464 8,804 1,609,681 Diversity Caucasian 79% Black 21% Hispanic 0% Asian/Pacific Islander 0% American 0% Indian/Alaskan Native Multiracial 0% 46% 61% 79% 46% 50% 36% 21% 38% 1% 3% 0% 10% 1% 0% 0% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 2% 1% 0% 3% Special Populations ESOL 0% Gifted 32% Special Education 20% 0% 1% 1% 4% 21% 4% 5% 9% 14% 15% 15% 11% Free & Reduced Lunch: % of Total Population 50% 57% 60% 50% 51% 115 PROGRESS & PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP) INFORMATION 2008 Did your school make AYP? Yes Is your school in needs improvement? No 2007 Yes No For more information on this school's AYP results, please see www.gadoe.org, then go to AYP Report. 2006 Yes No ACADEMIC GOALS In the space below, select up to four (4) goals stated in your charter and report on your progress in each of these goals by writing a narrative not to exceed 100 words per goal. At least three of these goals must be quantifiable student test results. Goal 1 Description: Goal # 1 Achievement in Testing: This year we were among the top ten schools in the state in Reading Achievement for the 8th grade. We are especially proud of this accomplishment because at least 85% of these students have been with us since the 3rd grade, and we contribute this success to our constructivist teaching methods. This class of students has been an excellent test case for us through the years because the population has remained stable for so long that it more accurately represents the success of our program than several of our other grades, where the population has undergone substantial changes. For example, our current 8th grade has only 45% of the students who have been with us since the 6th grade. The population started out being relatively small in 6th grade, but in two years it has steadily grown to reach our maximum of 25 students in the 8th grade. Despite the change of population in other grades, we achieved a 90% pass rate for reading across the entire Middle School. In addition to the 8th grade achievement, we were cited for improvement in Geometry and Biology End of Course Tests. We are also particularly proud of this achievement, since these math and science have been targeted for improvement. In Geometry, 88.24% of the students met or exceeded expectations, a 22.95% difference from previous scores. In Biology 92.31% of our students met or exceeded expectations, a 32.31% increase in scores. This success was borne out in our High School Graduation Tests as well. 94% of our students passed the Mathematics GHSGT, with 56% receiving a Pass Plus. 100% of our students passed the Science GHSGT, again with 56% receiving a Pass Plus. Goal 2 Description: Goal #2 Achievement in Mathematics: Since the Board has asked us to report on 116 Mathematics, this goal will examine our progress in this area. As stated above, High School Geometry moved from a 64% rate in 2007 to an 88% rate in 2008. High School Algebra did not improve but remained stable. 94% of our students passed the High School Graduation Test at the first testing. All have subsequently passed. On the Norm-Referenced Tests in Mathematics, our 8th-grade students were on a 10.1 grade level. This means that they performed as if they were in the 10th grade, 1st month. This put the entire class at the 72nd percentile nationally. Since 50% is average, we are very proud of this accomplishment. In the CRCTs, 67% of the students met standards. This was below their performance of the year before. However, since this was a problem state-wide and our students were in line with the state average, it does not seem significant. All but three students passed the test when retested. It should also be noted, that they performed very well on the more reliable norm-referenced test. In our 7th grade, 63% of the students met standards, a 13% increase from the previous year. We are very proud of this score since this class has a significant number of special education and remedial students. In 6th grade, 63% of the students met standards. Since this class had less than 15 students, this score unduly reflects the failure of a few. This will, however, establish a base line from which we can build. Goal 3 Description: Goal #3 Attendance & High School Graduation Rate: Here at Charter Conservatory, we believe that keeping a child in school, daily, weekly, and yearly is, perhaps, the most important tool we have to attain student success. If a student is in school, he or she is more likely to catch the spark of education. We believe that this is accomplished by establishing a safe, community environment that complements a content-rich curriculum. This content is enhanced by projects that are hands-on and relevant to both the students' interests and the world in which they live. An elaborate system of educational contracts to students who have the opportunity to participate in real-life travel, work and talent development further complements this philosophy. All this said, we are very proud of the 99.79% attendance rate that we have achieved this year. Building on the idea that students should be in school daily is the idea that they should stay in school until they graduate. This is a surprisingly complex task, especially with students who are at risk of not graduating because they lack academic prowess or/and support at home. We have almost always been able to remedy this situation by providing caring adults in students' lives. We are proud of our graduation rate last year of 94.4%. In fact, we have a 94% graduation rate over our entire six-year existence. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 1. Did school have surplus at the end of the 2007-2008 school year? No 117 2. Did school have a reserve fund? If so, what percentage of your No operational funding does the reserve represent? 3. Did your school raise more than $50,000 in private funding during No the 2007-2008 school year? FACILITIES INFORMATION 1. Do you own your facility? 2. Do you lease or rent a facility from a school district? If so, do you have plans to purchase the facility? 3. How much did you spend on facilities costs during the 2007-2008 school year? TEST RESULTS No No $162,300 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 CHATTAHOOCHEE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Contact Information James Sims 360 Highway 26 Cusseta, GA 31805 706-989-3678 Basic Facts District Type Opened Grades Served Enrollment Title I School Total Teachers Chattahoochee Start-Up 2005-08-11 9 - 12 441 No 30 Mission The mission of Chattahoochee County Charter High School is to prepare young people to become lifelong learners in a small school setting, based on high academic standards for all, individual appreciation for each student and teacher, a culture of trust, respect for the diverse traditions of Georgia, and involvement of family and community. Demographics Distance from Charter School (in miles) Chattahoochee County High School 0 Spencer High School 11.2 Kendrick High School 12.7 Chattahoochee County N/A Georgia N/A Total Population 446 983 1,202 885 1,609,68 1 Diversity Caucasian 46% Black 40% Hispanic 8% Asian/Pacific Islander 1% American 0% Indian/Alaskan Native Multiracial 5% 5% 3% 52% 46% 87% 94% 37% 38% 6% 1% 5% 10% 1% 0% 1% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 1% 4% 3% Special Populations ESOL 3% Gifted 2% Special Education 11% 3% 0% 1% 4% 0% 0% 4% 9% 18% 14% 11% 11% 125 Free & Reduced Lunch: % of Total Population 54% 83% 77% 64% 51% PROGRESS & PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP) INFORMATION 2008 Did your school make AYP? No Is your school in needs improvement? No 2007 Yes No For more information on this school's AYP results, please see www.gadoe.org, then go to AYP Report. 2006 Yes No ACADEMIC GOALS In the space below, select up to four (4) goals stated in your charter and report on your progress in each of these goals by writing a narrative not to exceed 100 words per goal. At least three of these goals must be quantifiable student test results. Goal 1 Description: Our number one goal is to reduce the drop-out rate of students at Chattahoochee County High School. We graduated over 75 % of out first graduating class in May of 2008. This Goal will be an on-going effort of everyone at Chattahoochee County High School. We only have one years worth of data, 2007-008, this will be our baseline for achievement of our goals. Goal 2 Description: Our number two goal is to maintain or increase the high school completion rate. We only have one years worth of data, 2007-2008, this will be our baseline for achievement of our goals. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 1. Did school have surplus at the end of the 2007-2008 school year? No 2. Did school have a reserve fund? If so, what percentage of your No operational funding does the reserve represent? 126 3. Did your school raise more than $50,000 in private funding during No the 2007-2008 school year? FACILITIES INFORMATION 1. Do you own your facility? 2. Do you lease or rent a facility from a school district? If so, do you have plans to purchase the facility? 3. How much did you spend on facilities costs during the 2007-2008 school year? Yes No $122,951.35 TEST RESULTS 127 128 CHESNUT ELEMENTARY Contact Information Richard Reid 4576 North Peachtree Road Dunwoody, GA 30338 678-676-7102 Basic Facts District Type Opened Grades Served Enrollment Title I School Total Teachers Dekalb Conversion 2001-08-01 PK - 5 540 No 35 Mission At Chesnut Charter School, we commit ourselves to educating the whole child developing young people who are enthusiastic, knowledgeable, well rounded, physically active and thoughtful. Chesnut students will become honorable and contributing citizens internally motivated to achieve their highest potential. Demographics Distance from Charter School (in miles) Chesnut Elementary School 0 Hightower Elementary School 1.2 Kingsley Elementary School 1.3 DeKalb County N/A Georgia N/A Total Population 486 561 381 97,580 1,609,681 Diversity Caucasian 40% Black 28% Hispanic 12% Asian/Pacific Islander 10% American 1% Indian/Alaskan Native Multiracial 9% 1% 41% 10% 46% 14% 27% 75% 38% 80% 20% 9% 10% 3% 8% 3% 3% 0% 1% 0% 0% 2% 4% 3% 3% Special Populations ESOL 8% Gifted 27% Special Education 7% 39% 14% 5% 4% 3% 27% 11% 9% 5% 7% 9% 11% Free & Reduced Lunch: % of Total Population 27% 96% 37% 66% 51% 129 PROGRESS & PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP) INFORMATION 2008 Did your school make AYP? Yes Is your school in needs improvement? No 2007 Yes No For more information on this school's AYP results, please see www.gadoe.org, then go to AYP Report. 2006 Yes No ACADEMIC GOALS In the space below, select up to four (4) goals stated in your charter and report on your progress in each of these goals by writing a narrative not to exceed 100 words per goal. At least three of these goals must be quantifiable student test results. Goal 1 Description: We will increase abilities in mathematics computation in grades 1 to 5 during the term of the charter. Objective: Of level 1 students (below grade level) enrolled at the beginning of the year, 10% will improve to "on grade level" performance each year in math. Students performing "on or above grade level" will improve total CRCT scores vs. prior year in math. In 2008, Chesnut third through fifth graders took the GPS CRCT for the first time. This data is not comparable to past year's data and thus this will become our baseline data moving forward. In the second year (2008) the GPS Math CRCT was administered to the grades one and two, at Chesnut nearly 30 percent fewer students scored Level 1 on the test. Though we anticipate greater gains as both our teachers and students become more familiar with the GPS, we did meet our goal in these grade levels. Goal 2 Description: We will increase reading comprehension in grades 1 to 5 during the term of the charter. Objective: Of level 1 students (below grade level) enrolled at the beginning of the year, 10% will improve to "on grade level" performance each year in reading. Students performing "on or above grade level" will improve total CRCT scores vs. prior year in reading. Between Spring 2007 and Spring 2008, Chesnut experienced a 20 percent reduction in the number of students scoring Level 1 on the Reading CRCT which followed a 40 percent reduction in the number of Level 1 students in reading between 2006 and 2007. The pattern continued in 2008 when we saw another 20 percent decrease in the number of students at Level 1. Our objective was to move 10 percent of Level 1 students in Reading to Level 2 or 3 each year. We exceeded this objective. Chesnut experienced a 10 percent increase in the percentage of students 130 exceeding expectations on the CRCT in Reading which meets our goal of moving students from level 2 to level 3. Goal 3 Description: We will increase language arts comprehension in grades 1 to 5 during the term of the charter. Objective: Of level 1 students (below grade level) enrolled at the beginning of the year, 10% will improve to "on grade level" performance each year in language arts. Students performing "on or above grade level" will improve total CRCT scores vs. prior year in language arts. Between Spring 2007 and Spring 2008, Chesnut experienced a 20 percent reduction in the number of students scoring Level 1 on the ELA CRCT which follows a 37 percent reduction in the number of Level 1 students between 2006 and 2007. Our objective was to move 10 percent of Level 1 students in ELA to Level 2 or 3 each year. We exceeded this objective. Goal 4 Description: We will continue to promote parental and community involvement. Objective: Encourage parents to become involved in their child's education by requiring, as defined in the Parent Agreement, that they earn 12 volunteer credits during each academic year. Promote an interest from the community by contacting a minimum of 5 community organizations and business partners to establish long-lasting relationships. Chesnut parents continue to excel in the area of parental involvement. Parents contributed over 9,500 volunteer hours in the 2007-2008 school year. Since the beginning of this Charter period, we have added several new business partners including the Dunwoody North Homeowners Association, Publix Grocery Store, Shane's Rib Shack, Mimi's Cafe, Outback Steakhouse and Chick-Fil-A (the Perimeter Pointe location). FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 1. Did school have surplus at the end of the 2007-2008 school year? No 2. Did school have a reserve fund? If so, what percentage of your No operational funding does the reserve represent? 3. Did your school raise more than $50,000 in private funding during No the 2007-2008 school year? FACILITIES INFORMATION 1. Do you own your facility? No 2. Do you lease or rent a facility from a school district? If so, do you No have plans to purchase the facility? 131 3. How much did you spend on facilities costs during the 2007-2008 school year? $1,000 TEST RESULTS 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 CLUBVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Contact Information Angie Shehane 2836 Edgewood Road Columbus, GA 31906 706-565-3017 Basic Facts District Type Opened Grades Served Enrollment Title I School Total Teachers Muscogee Conversion 1953-09-08 PK 5 485 No 38 Mission The misson of Clubview School is to educate and challenge students to become life long learners who exhibit the attitudes and dispositions described in the student profile and equip the students with social, intellectual, and critical skills that will enable them to reach their potential as adults in our global society. Demographics Distance from Charter School (in miles) Clubview Elementary School 0 Wynnton Elementary School 0.3 Rigdon Road Elementary School 0.4 Muscogee County N/A Georgia N/A Total Population 461 388 228 31,731 1,609,681 Diversity Caucasian 62% Black 22% Hispanic 3% Asian/Pacific Islander 3% American 0% Indian/Alaskan Native Multiracial 9% 15% 0% 68% 99% 7% 0% 1% 0% 0% 0% 8% 1% 31% 46% 59% 38% 4% 10% 2% 3% 0% 0% 5% 3% Special Populations ESOL 1% Gifted 0% Special Education 8% 5% 0% 1% 4% 0% 0% 3% 9% 18% 7% 12% 11% Free & Reduced Lunch: % of Total Population 31% 88% 85% 61% 51% 140 PROGRESS & PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP) INFORMATION 2008 Did your school make AYP? Yes Is your school in needs improvement? No 2007 Yes No For more information on this school's AYP results, please see www.gadoe.org, then go to AYP Report. 2006 Yes No ACADEMIC GOALS In the space below, select up to four (4) goals stated in your charter and report on your progress in each of these goals by writing a narrative not to exceed 100 words per goal. At least three of these goals must be quantifiable student test results. Goal 1 Description: Charter Goal: Students at Clubview Elementary School will be able to demonstrate improvement in reading achievement. While writing the charter petition, previous reading scores from the CRCT were used as a base for setting Clubview's reading goal. The scores used were based on the results of the 2005-2006 CRCT which measured the Quality Core Curriculum (QCC). The CRCT results for 2007-2008 are based on Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). Trying to use results of a CRCT which measured the QCC and a CRCT which measured the GPS to determine the progress we have made on meeting our charter goal is very difficult. For 2007-2008, the number of students that exceeded the reading goal is listed below by grade level: Fifth grade 23%; Fourth grade 49%; Third grade 61%; Second grade 56%; First grade 56%; Kindergarten 73%; Pre-kindergarten 35%. Goal 2 Description: Charter Goal: Students at Clubview Elementary School will be able to demonstrate improvement in math achievement. While writing the charter petition, previous math scores from the CRCT were used as a base for setting Clubview's math goal. The math scores used were based on the results of the 2005-2006 CRCT which measured the Quality Core Curriculum (QCC). The CRCT results for 2007-2008 are based on Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). Trying to use results of a CRCT which measured the QCC and a CRCT which measured the GPS to determine the progress we have made on meeting our charter goal is very difficult. For 2007-2008, the number of students that exceeded the goal is listed below by grade level: Fifth grade 35%; Fourth grade 29%; Third grade 48%; Second grade 24%; First grade 36%; Kindergarten 89%; Pre-kindergarten 15%. 141 Goal 3 Description: Charter Goal: Students at Clubview Elementary School will be able to demonstrate improvement in writing achievement. While writing the charter petition, previous writing scores from the CRCT were used as a base for setting Clubview's writing goal in grades 3 and 5. The scores used were based on the results of the 2005-2006 CRCT which measured the Quality Core Curriculum (QCC). The CRCT results for 20072008 are based on Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). Trying to use results of a CRCT which measured the QCC and a CRCT which measured the GPS to determine the progress we have made on meeting our charter goal is very difficult. In fifth grade, Clubview's writing goal was for 60% of our students to score at the Engaging or Extending Stage as measured by the Georgia Grade 5 Writing Test. For 2007-2008, 89% of the students scored Meeting or Exceeding. Clubview's goal for third grade on the Georgia Grade 3 Writing Test was 70% scoring at the Engaging or Extending Stage. For 2007-2008, 78% scored Meeting or Exceeding. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 1. Did school have surplus at the end of the 2007-2008 school year? No 2. Did school have a reserve fund? If so, what percentage of your No operational funding does the reserve represent? 3. Did your school raise more than $50,000 in private funding during No the 2007-2008 school year? FACILITIES INFORMATION 1. Do you own your facility? No 2. Do you lease or rent a facility from a school district? If so, do you No have plans to purchase the facility? 3. How much did you spend on facilities costs during the 2007-2008 $0 school year? 142 TEST RESULTS 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 CONNECTED ACADEMY Contact Information Cynthia L. Burgess 86 School Drive, Suite A Alpharetta, GA 30009 770-667-2921 Basic Facts District Type Opened Grades Served Enrollment Title I School Total Teachers Fulton Start-Up 2007-08-13 11- 12 40 No 5 Mission Connected Academy's mission is to create an environment where students excel through rigorous, applied, integrated instruction; project-based, community-centered learning opportunities; and self-directed knowledge acquisition using technology as a resource. Demographics Distance from Charter School (in miles) Connected Academy 0 Independen ce Alternative School 3.2 Alpharetta High School 3.9 Fulton County N/A Georgia N/A Total Population 89 327 2,219 84,337 1,609,681 Diversity Caucasian 58% Black 35% Hispanic 2% Asian/Pacific Islander 0% American 0% Indian/Alaskan Native Multiracial 4% 44% 59% 37% 46% 31% 17% 42% 38% 17% 7% 10% 10% 2% 13% 8% 3% 1% 0% 0% 0% 5% 4% 4% 3% Special Populations ESOL 0% Gifted 10% Special Education 7% 0% 2% 5% 4% 0% 27% 14% 9% 2% 10% 10% 11% Free & Reduced Lunch: % of Total Population 17% 19% 9% 37% 51% 151 PROGRESS & PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP) INFORMATION 2008 Did your school make AYP? Yes Is your school in needs improvement? No 2007 No No For more information on this school's AYP results, please see www.gadoe.org, then go to AYP Report. 2006 No No ACADEMIC GOALS In the space below, select up to four (4) goals stated in your charter and report on your progress in each of these goals by writing a narrative not to exceed 100 words per goal. At least three of these goals must be quantifiable student test results. Goal 1 Description: 60% of students enrolled in Connected Academy will show an increase in their GPA. While we did not meet the actual goal intended, 52% of our students' GPA did reflect an increase in the first year of our charter. The majority of our student body met this goal, but the initial composition of students did not accurately reflect those the charter was intended for. Goal 2 Description: 80% of the students enrolled in Connected Academy will earn an 80 or better grade conversion score on End of Course Tests. Results reflected that we met this goal on two of three tests. The results were: Economics - 89%, US History - 72%, American Literature - 86%. Goal 3 Description: Students who attend Connected Academy will perform as well as or better than Fulton County high school students. The average scale score on each End of Course Test administered in 11th or 12th grade will reflect an score 5 points higher on each test. We met this goal on one of the three tests. Students' scale score for the Economics EOCT showed a 5 point increase. 152 Goal 4 Description: Connected Academy will develop ten business partnerships to offer student internships for Connected Academy seniors. We met this goal. The following businesses formed partnerships with our school for this purpose: CSI Apharetta Police, Roswell Parks and Recreation, Atlanta Ballet, Alpharetta ES, Alpharetta Visitor and Welcome Center, Sunrise Independent Retirement, Hollyberry Animal Hospital, Alpharetta Animal Hospital, Young Life Daycare, Spin City. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 1. Did school have surplus at the end of the 2007-2008 school year? Yes 2. Did school have a reserve fund? If so, what percentage of your No operational funding does the reserve represent? 3. Did your school raise more than $50,000 in private funding during No the 2007-2008 school year? FACILITIES INFORMATION 1. Do you own your facility? No 2. Do you lease or rent a facility from a school district? If so, do you No have plans to purchase the facility? 3. How much did you spend on facilities costs during the 2007-2008 $0 school year? 153 TEST RESULTS 154 155 DEKALB ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT Contact Information Dr. Maury Wills 1833 S. Stone Mountain-Lithonia Rd. Lithonia, GA 30058 Basic Facts District Type Opened Grades Served Enrollment Title I School Total Teachers Dekalb Start-Up 2005-08-08 K - 8 344 No 23 Mission The goal of the Dekalb Academy of Technology and Environment, Inc. is to educate a student population about the essential need to consider environmental ramifications of technology and other business decisions, via a hands-on, community-oriented instructional curriculum. Demographics Distance from Charter School (in miles) Dekalb Academy of Technology and the Environment 0 Stoneview Elementary School 0.5 Marbut Elementary School 3.0 DeKalb County N/A Georgia N/A Total Population 273 893 859 97,580 1,609,681 Diversity Caucasian 0% Black 98% Hispanic 0% Asian/Pacific Islander 0% American 0% Indian/Alaskan Native Multiracial 1% 1% 0% 10% 46% 90% 98% 75% 38% 6% 0% 9% 10% 0% 0% 3% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 2% 1% 3% 3% Special Populations ESOL 0% Gifted 6% Special Education 5% 5% 0% 5% 4% 0% 4% 11% 9% 9% 4% 9% 11% 156 Free & Reduced Lunch: % of Total Population 16% 91% 57% 66% 51% PROGRESS & PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP) INFORMATION 2008 Did your school make AYP? Yes Is your school in needs improvement? No 2007 Yes No For more information on this school's AYP results, please see www.gadoe.org, then go to AYP Report. 2006 Yes No ACADEMIC GOALS In the space below, select up to four (4) goals stated in your charter and report on your progress in each of these goals by writing a narrative not to exceed 100 words per goal. At least three of these goals must be quantifiable student test results. Goal 1 Description: For the academic school year 2007-2008, there were many improvements in meeting and exceeding standards on the GCRCT for Reading. Dekalb Academy of Technology and Environment has continued to strive for improvements to meet our goal of 95% of students meeting and exceeding standards. The data will reveal that there have been significant gains in students meeting and exceeding standards on the GCRCT. For example, in Reading, 100% of first grade students met and exceeded standards, 90% of second graders met and exceeded standards, 90% of third graders met and exceeded standards, and 89% of fourth graders met and exceeded standards. While 88% of fifth graders met and exceeded Reading standards, 98% of sixth graders met and exceeded standards, and 92% of seventh graders met and exceeded standards in Reading. In total, 90.7% of all students met and exceeded standards in Reading at Dekalb Academy of Technology and Environment. Goal 2 Description: For the academic school year 2007-2008, there were many improvements in meeting and exceeding standards on the GCRCT for Math. Dekalb Academy of Technology and Environment has continued to strive for improvements to meet our goal of 95% of students meeting and exceeding standards. The data will reveal that there have been significant gains in students meeting and exceeding standards on the GCRCT. In Math, there were also improvements made with 100% of first grade students who met and exceeded standards, 78% of second graders who met and exceeded standards, 157 78% of third graders who met and exceeded standards, 57% of fourth graders who met and exceeded standards, 89% of fifth graders who met and exceeded standards; and 60% of sixth graders who met and exceeded standards. In total, 73.4% of all students met and exceeded standards in Math at Dekalb Academy ofTechnology and Environment. Goal 3 Description: For the academic school year 2007-2008, there were also many improvements in meeting and exceeding standards on the GCRCT for Social Studies, English and Science. Dekalb Academy of Technology and Environment. has continued to strive for improvements to meet our goal of 95% of students meeting and exceeding standards. The data will reveal that there have been significant gains in students meeting and exceeding standards on the GCRCT in the content areas of Social Studies, English, and Science. Social Studies and English were significant highlights for the academy with an overall average of 91% and 91% respectively of all students who met and exceeded standard. In Science, there was an overall 14% increase of students who exceeded standards totaling 69% of all students who exceeded standards in Science. Goal 4 Description: An additional annual measurable objective required at least 95% of our kindergarten students to perform at grade level. We had 100% percent of kindergarteners who performed on grade level based on the administration of the Georgia Kindergartener Assessment (GKAP) Program for 2007-2008, an improvement of 3% from the previous year. The kindergarten program at the academy has been a model program and has been committed to ensuring that students' experiences are positive, rewarding, and effective in determining success and readiness for first grade. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 1. Did school have surplus at the end of the 2007-2008 school year? No 2. Did school have a reserve fund? If so, what percentage of your No operational funding does the reserve represent? 3. Did your school raise more than $50,000 in private funding during No the 2007-2008 school year? 158 FACILITIES INFORMATION 1. Do you own your facility? 2. Do you lease or rent a facility from a school district? If so, do you have plans to purchase the facility? 3. How much did you spend on facilities costs during the 2007-2008 school year? No No $225,000 TEST RESULTS 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 DEKALB PATH ACADEMY Contact Information Suttiwan Cox 3007 Hermance Drive Atlanta, GA 30319 404-846-3242 Basic Facts District Type Opened Grades Served Enrollment Title I School Total Teachers Dekalb Start-Up 2002-07-01 5 - 8 274 Yes 22 Mission The mission of PATH is to create a safe and nurturing learning environment in which refugee, immigrant and local children from the Chamblee, Doraville and Clarkston areas in DeKalb County, Georgia can develop the knowledge, skills, and character needed to succeed in top-quality high schools, colleges, and the competitive world beyond regardless of their socio-economic and linguistic barriers. Demographics Distance from Charter School (in miles) DeKalb PATH Academy Charter School 0 Sutton Middle School Henderson Middle School DeKalb County Georgia 3.4 5.1 N/A N/A Total Population 274 Diversity Caucasian 1% Black 29% Hispanic 62% Asian/Pacific Islander 6% American 0% Indian/Alaskan Native Multiracial 2% 901 1,231 97,580 1,609,681 33% 39% 10% 46% 39% 30% 75% 38% 22% 20% 9% 10% 3% 8% 3% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 3% 4% 3% 3% Special Populations ESOL 19% Gifted 9% Special Education 4% 11% 6% 5% 4% 29% 36% 11% 9% 10% 9% 9% 11% 170 Free & Reduced Lunch: % of Total Population 81% 49% 42% 66% 51% PROGRESS & PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP) INFORMATION 2008 Did your school make AYP? Yes Is your school in needs improvement? No 2007 Yes No For more information on this school's AYP results, please see www.gadoe.org, then go to AYP Report. 2006 Yes No ACADEMIC GOALS In the space below, select up to four (4) goals stated in your charter and report on your progress in each of these goals by writing a narrative not to exceed 100 words per goal. At least three of these goals must be quantifiable student test results. Goal 1 Description: Eighty percent of the students, excluding IEP, ELL (ESOL), and ELL-M19 (ESOL students who exited the ESOL program less than 2 years), whose previous standardized test records can be obtained will increase their test scores in reading and mathematics each year by 3-5%. The ITBS scores of 5th, 7th, and 8th grades in reading and mathematics increased more than 5% among regular students and more than 3% among ELL students. Goal 2 Description: The school will decrease the percentage of students excluding IEP and ELL (ESOL), scoring at Level 1 in grades 5 through 8 on the Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Test in mathematics and reading by a minimum of 2% each year until a rate of 100% has been achieved. Our school exceeded our goals in all sub-groups. Our school met AYP for the third consecutive year. The Atlanta Journal rated our school as a "School of Distinction." According to the most recent GA DoE' s AYP report (dated September 30, 2008), which included the re-test, our test results showed a slight increase of the overall scores from the July report. Goal 3 Description: ELL (ESOL) students will increase their raw scores in Language Battery Test or ACCESS by a minimum of 5 points each year. Our ELL students performed 171 exceptionally well the in 2007-2008 school year in all subject areas, especially reading and language arts. The average increase of the ESOL students' raw scores on ACCESS was over 10 points. Twenty-five percent of ESOL students exited ESOL program at the end of the school year. Fifty percent of eighth grade ESOL students were accepted to DeKalb Early College Academy (DECA) for the 2008-2009 school year. The academic progress and success of our ELL students was very significant because it was a core value in our mission. Goal 4 Description: We do not have goal 4. However, we have included other test results and 2007-2008 Daily Attendance Report in this section. The hard work of our teachers and students paid off in 2007-2008 school year. Our students achieved tremendous academic growth. The results of the test scores of various tests mandated by the state and the school system revealed that the average test scores of our students were higher than those of their peers in metro Atlanta schools and DeKalb County School System. Below is the summary of the results of different tests: ITBS: The average increase of the composite test scores of 5th, 7th, and 8th graders was 6.3% from the previous year. 5th Grade Writing: 86% of fifth graders met or exceeded the writing standards, an increase of 35% from the previous year. Middle Grade Writing Assessment: 92% of eighth graders met or exceeded the writing standards, an increase of 11% from the previous year. Eighth Grade End of Course Test: 100% of 8th graders who were eligible to take Algebra I passed the EOCT, an increase of 27% from the previous year. In the 2007-2008 school year our daily attendance rate remained excellent with an average of 97.7% FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 1. Did school have surplus at the end of the 2007-2008 school year? 2. Did school have a reserve fund? If so, what percentage of your operational funding does the reserve represent? 3. Did your school raise more than $50,000 in private funding during the 2007-2008 school year? No Yes. 12% No FACILITIES INFORMATION 1. Do you own your facility? No 2. Do you lease or rent a facility from a school district? If so, do you No have plans to purchase the facility? 172 3. How much did you spend on facilities costs during the 2007-2008 school year? $178,000 TEST RESULTS 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 DESTINY ACADEMY Contact Information Clarence Callaway 3595 Linecrest Rd Ellenwood, GA 30294 Basic Facts District Type Opened Grades Served Enrollment Title I School Total Teachers Dekalb Start-Up 2006-08-07 9 - 12 100 Yes 17 Mission The mission of Destiny Academy of Excellence is to provide dropout prevention to all students. We will serve youth that have shown behavioral problems are at-risk of engaging in high risk behaviors and are not successful in the traditional school setting. The educational programs will be distinguished by varied instructional delivery and learning styles and use of technology-across-the-curriculum. Demographics Distance from Charter School (in miles) Destiny Academy of Excellence Charter School 0 Martin Luther King, Jr. High School Cedar Grove High School 2.8 3.5 DeKalb County N/A Georgia N/A Total Population 70 Diversity Caucasian 0% Black 99% Hispanic 0% Asian/Pacific Islander 0% American 0% Indian/Alaskan Native Multiracial 1% 2,155 1,347 97,580 1,609,681 0% 0% 10% 46% 98% 97% 75% 38% 1% 1% 9% 10% 0% 0% 3% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 2% 3% 3% Special Populations ESOL Gifted Special Education 0% 0% 0% 5% 4% 0% 6% 2% 11% 9% 11% 8% 8% 9% 11% 180 Free & Reduced Lunch: % of Total Population 84% 61% 65% 66% 51% PROGRESS & PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP) INFORMATION 2008 Did your school make AYP? No Is your school in needs improvement? Yes 2007 No No For more information on this school's AYP results, please see www.gadoe.org, then go to AYP Report. 2006 No No ACADEMIC GOALS In the space below, select up to four (4) goals stated in your charter and report on your progress in each of these goals by writing a narrative not to exceed 100 words per goal. At least three of these goals must be quantifiable student test results. Goal 1 Description: Students will show measurable improvement in first time pass rates on the High School Graduation Writing Test. Destiny has implemented "writing across the curriculum" to promote and encourage comprehensive writing stategies. We also offer weekly writing workshops to juniors and seniors. Parent workshops are held monthly to encourage additional support with our efforts. Goal 2 Description: Students will make marginal gains in the reading and math portions of the TABE post test. Destiny Academy will complete a pre-testing of the TABE during the fall semester. A post-test administration will be held in the spring to measure results. We expect to see at least a 35% increase in proficiency. Goal 3 Description: 87.7% of students will pass the Georgia High School Graduation Test in Language Arts with proficiency. Destiny Academy is a credit recovery school; therefore, our students have academic deficits in the core curriculum areas that must be addressed. We have instituted school wide Supplemental Education, on-going academic counseling, and we are placing more emphasis on benchmark data to address student learning needs. 181 Goal 4 Description: 74.9% of students will pass the Georgia High School Graduation Test in Math with proficiency. Destiny Academy is a credit recovery school; therefore, our students have academic deficits in the core curriculum areas that must be addressed. We have instituted school wide Supplemental Education, on-going academic counseling, and we are placing more emphasis on benchmark data to address student learning needs. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 1. Did school have surplus at the end of the 2007-2008 school year? 2. Did school have a reserve fund? If so, what percentage of your operational funding does the reserve represent? 3. Did your school raise more than $50,000 in private funding during the 2007-2008 school year? Yes Yes. The reserve represents 75% of operating expenses. No FACILITIES INFORMATION 1. Do you own your facility? 2. Do you lease or rent a facility from a school district? If so, do you have plans to purchase the facility? 3. How much did you spend on facilities costs during the 2007-2008 school year? No No $35,000 182 TEST RESULTS 183 184 DOOLY COUNTY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL Contact Information Randolph P. Ford 715 N 3rd St. Vienna, GA 31092 229-268-8181 Basic Facts District Type Opened Grades Served Enrollment Title I School Total Teachers Dooly Conversion 2005-09-01 9 - 12 350 No 35 Mission The charter school shall provide students with a quality, individualized curriculum that will allow students to reach their potential and will foster lifelong learning. Demographics Distance from Charter School (in miles) Dooly County High School 0 Crisp County High School 10.3 Macon County High School 18.8 Dooly County N/A Georgia N/A Total Population 375 1,150 579 1,395 1,609,681 Diversity Caucasian 7% Black 83% Hispanic 7% Asian/Pacific Islander 0% American 0% Indian/Alaskan Native Multiracial 3% 36% 11% 9% 46% 61% 84% 77% 38% 1% 3% 10% 10% 1% 2% 1% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 3% 3% Special Populations ESOL 1% Gifted 0% Special Education 7% 0% 2% 5% 1% 12% 8% 3% 4% 0% 9% 9% 11% Free & Reduced Lunch: % of Total Population 93% 65% 79% 91% 51% 185 PROGRESS & PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP) INFORMATION 2008 Did your school make AYP? No Is your school in needs improvement? Yes 2007 No Yes For more information on this school's AYP results, please see www.gadoe.org, then go to AYP Report. 2006 No Yes ACADEMIC GOALS In the space below, select up to four (4) goals stated in your charter and report on your progress in each of these goals by writing a narrative not to exceed 100 words per goal. At least three of these goals must be quantifiable student test results. Goal 1 Description: One goal of the charter is to increase the promotion rate for first-time ninth graders by 50%, compared to the previous year's promotion rate as measured by attainment of Carnegie units. An analysis of the promotion rates for the first-time ninth graders reflects a 6% increase over the previous year. Goal 2 Description: Another goal of the charter is to increase the percentage of students remaining on track by 50%, compared to the previous year's promotion rates as measured by promotion/retention factors. We had an 83% promotion rate. The retention rate of ninth graders decreased by 1%. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 1. Did school have surplus at the end of the 2007-2008 school year? No 2. Did school have a reserve fund? If so, what percentage of your No operational funding does the reserve represent? 3. Did your school raise more than $50,000 in private funding during No the 2007-2008 school year? 186 FACILITIES INFORMATION 1. Do you own your facility? 2. Do you lease or rent a facility from a school district? If so, do you have plans to purchase the facility? 3. How much did you spend on facilities costs during the 2007-2008 school year? Yes No $70,000 TEST RESULTS 187 188 DUNWOODY SPRINGS CHARTER ELEMENTARY Contact Information Ivy Gainey 8100 Roberts Drive Sandy Springs, GA 30350 770-673-4060 Basic Facts District Type Opened Grades Served Enrollment Title I School Total Teachers Fulton Conversion 2005-08-15 PK - 5 855 Yes 76 Mission It is the mission of Dunwoody Springs Charter Elementary School to educate each individual in our care to the best of our abilities and expertise, to build an environment that fosters learning, respect, and leadership, to aid families in the development of the whole child, and to prepare our children for anticipation in a democratic society and a global economy. Demographics Distance from Charter School (in miles) Dunwoody Springs Charter School 0 Woodland River Eves Elementary Elementary School School 1.4 2.4 Fulton County N/A Georgia N/A Total Population 772 869 707 84,337 1,609,681 Diversity Caucasian 16% Black 48% Hispanic 26% Asian/Pacific Islander 3% American 0% Indian/Alaskan Native Multiracial 7% 29% 50% 37% 46% 43% 25% 42% 38% 14% 15% 10% 10% 6% 4% 8% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 8% 6% 4% 3% Special Populations ESOL 18% Gifted 12% Special Education 10% 10% 7% 5% 4% 10% 10% 14% 9% 11% 10% 10% 11% 189